England vs Belgium World Cup 2018: Confirmed team news as England drop Harry Kane, making eight changes

Follow live coverage of England's Group G clash with Belgium

Jack Watson
Thursday 28 June 2018 18:46 BST
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England v Belgium World Cup preview

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England drop Harry Kane and hand a competitive debut to Trent Alexander-Arnold against Belgium with qualification from World Cup Group G already secured.

Jordan Pickford, John Stones and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are the only players to keep their places as Gareth Southgate makes eight changes from the side that beat Panama 6-1.

Whoever finishes as group winners will play Japan while the runner up faces Colombia.

As it stands England are ahead of Belgium despite both sides having six points an equal goal difference and the same number of goals scored.

England are top because of their better discipline record, Loftus-Cheek and Kyle Walker are the only Three Lions players to be booked, while Belgium have picked up three cautions.

Kane is the tournament's leading goalscorer on five strikes, ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo (4) and Romelu Lukaku (4) and said he was did not want to be rested. "I want to continue the form I'm in, but whatever decision the gaffer makes we'll get behind," said the England captain after scoring three against Panama.

England XI to play Belgium: Jordan Pickford; Phil Jones, John Stones, Gary Cahill; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Eric Dier, Fabian Delph, Danny Rose; Jamie Vardy, Marcus Rashford.

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