LIVE: Follow updates from USA vs England World Cup Group B match
And they will be heavily fancied again when they take on a USA side who were held by Wales in their opening fixture.
However, it is worth remembering that the last time these sides were last paired in a World Cup group stage (South Africa 2010), the United States finished first to England’s second following a 1-1 draw between the two.
Below are the confirmed starting lineups for both teams ahead of this Group B clash.
MORE: World Cup 2022 Group B: Match schedule, fixtures, times and dates
England vs USA lineups
The burning question for both sides going into this game has been whether Harry Kane might be fit after picking up an ankle knock against Iran.
There were no great fears that the striker had sustained a tournament-ending injury, but it had been posited that he might miss out against the US as a precaution.
However, Southgate emphatically put those suggestions out of mind, saying: “Harry is good. It would be a brave decision to leave him out of the starting line-up!”
Responses to that team news are likely to have contrasted sharply on either side of the Atlantic.
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England confirmed starting 11
England (4-2-3-1 right to left): 1. Pickford (GK) — 12. Trippier, 5. Stones, 6. Maguire, 3. Shaw — 22. Bellingham, 4. Rice — 17. Saka, 19. Mount, 10. Sterling — 9. Kane.
Injured: Maddison Suspended: None
With Harry Maguire having recovered from the dizziness that forced him off against Iran and Kane available, Southgate has the opportunity to name the same 11. James Maddison will miss out on the squad again as he continues his recovery.
Sky Sports predicted England would start an unchanged lineup from the Iran win, and that came to pass as Gareth Southgate makes no changes.
USA confirmed starting 11
United States (4-3-3, right to left): 1-Turner (GK) — 2-Dest, 3-Zimmerman, 13-Ream, 5-Robinson — 8-McKennie, 4-Adams, 6-Musah — 21-Weah, 19-Wright, 10-Pulisic.
Injured: none Suspended: none
Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, Weston McKennie and Timothy Weah all trained on Thursday despite picking up knocks against Wales. They all start, retaining their places from the opening match.
Gio Reyna is also fit again after a hamstring issue, while Brenden Aaronson is an option in midfield having only come off the bench last time out. Neither start, however, as the only change from the Wales game is up front, with Haji Wright starting at striker, sending Josh Sargent to the bench and leaving Jesus Ferreira to sit again.
England vs USA World Cup squads
Here are the 26 names on each team’s squad lists at the World Cup in Qatar:
