England will conclude their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign against Albania in Tirana on Sunday, with the Three Lions already secured as Group K winners. Albania have earned a play-off spot after a 1-0 victory over Andorra and aim to defeat England for the first time. The match carries little stakes for either side but offers a chance for both teams to build momentum.
England head into their final World Cup qualifier against Albania on Sunday evening, having already clinched top spot in Group K with a perfect record of seven wins and no goals conceded. Under manager Thomas Tuchel, the Three Lions have demonstrated strong form, including consecutive 5-0 away victories against Serbia and Latvia, extending their unbeaten run in World Cup qualifiers to 38 matches since October 2009.
Albania, coached by Sylvinho, have secured a play-off berth for the 2026 tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the USA following a 1-0 win over Andorra on Thursday. This marks their second major tournament qualification in recent years after Euro 2024. The hosts remain unbeaten in their last eight games and have kept clean sheets in six of their past seven World Cup qualifying home matches, though their last defeat came against England in March (2-0).
With nothing at stake for qualification, the fixture is described as almost a friendly, but Albania will seek their first-ever win over England. Tirana's Arena Kombetare presents a challenging atmosphere, where Albania have shown defensive resilience. England, meanwhile, aim to maintain their impressive defensive record and confidence ahead of tougher tests.
Betting predictions favor England to win to nil, with a forecasted score of 0-2, highlighting the visitors' dominance despite the low-pressure context.