England begin Nations League campaign against Ireland and Finland

The England national team are due to begin their Nations League campaign this weekend against the Republic of Ireland away in in Dublin. New interim manager Lee Carsley has names his full squad for the two fixtures including key players such as goalkeeper Jourdan Pickford, right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, centre-back Harry Maguire, centre-back John Stones, defensive midfielder Declan Rice, central midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, attacking midfielders Phil Foden and Cole Palmer, wingers Jarrod Bowen, Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka, and centre-forwards and captain Harry Kane and Ollie Watkins. England were relegated during their last A League Nations League campaign back in 2022 following the national teams bottom placed finish in their group against Italy, Hungary and Germany. As a result of that relegation, England have bottom been demoted to League B and been placed in Group Two alongside Finland, the Republic of Ireland and Greece. If England were to finish top of this group they will be promoted back to League A alongside the highest ranked national teams in Europe. England's fixture against the Republic of Ireland is only the fifth between the two countries in the last 34 years with the Republic of Ireland and their supporters largely taking the fixture more seriously whereas England focus more on rivalries against Germany, Argentina and Scotland. England's second fixture of this international break against Finland takes place on Tuesday at Wembley Stadium with bookmakers largely placing bets that England will win both of their opening two Nations League fixtures as well as topping their group. England will also soon begin their campaign for qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup due to take place in Canada, Mexico and United States which is the first expanded edition of the tournament which will have 48 teams which many critics believe will devalue the tournament which they believe will include too many teams.