Nico O’Reilly among three players who must be given World Cup audition for England vs Japan
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Credit: Imago Tue 31 March 2026 6:00, UK Nico O’Reilly is one of three England players who deserve to start in their final home friendly before the World Cup against Japan.England face Japan at Wembley on Tuesday in their last game on home turf before the World Cup, with kick-off set for 7:45pm.Thomas Tuchel’s much-changed side came away with a 1-1 draw against Uruguay last Friday after Ben White scored his first international goal but then gave away a penalty which was dispatched by Fede Valverde.Several key men are back in the fold and ready to play against Japan, who beat Scotland 1-0 on Friday and have won each of their last four friendlies.With Tuchel likely to go strong to head into the summer tournament on a high, Football Insider have picked out three England players who deserve to start to prove their worth to the boss.Nico O’ReillyO’Reilly was one of numerous Three Lions stars who were told to take more time off and miss the Uruguay friendly before linking up with his international teammates over the weekend. MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES He has made 46 appearances for Man City this season and was the hero in their recent Carabao Cup win over Arsenal, with 13 goal contributions from left-back so far this term.Appearances28Minutes2134′Goals4Assists3Successful pass %86.6%Duels won per 905.57Tackles per 902.57Goals conceded while on pitch per 900.84O’Reilly’s 2025-26 PL statsThe 21-year-old is staking a serious claim to be Tuchel’s first-choice in the position at the World Cup, and deserves a start against Japan as he aims to pick up where he left off in his last game at Wembley.Not only has he shown his quality in recent months at City, but he also needs more experience in a Three Lions shirt before the tournament, as he has only got two caps to his name so far.James GarnerGarner impressed on his England debut against Uruguay alongside Jordan Henderson in midfield, with four chances created, 92 per cent pass completion and six duels won from nine attempted.The Everton star has shone under David Moyes this season, and is now a genuine contender to make the plane to North America this summer after his man-of-the-match performance last week.Sources exclusively told Football Insider last month that Tuchel had been watching Garner, and now his faith in the former Man United man looks like it could pay off.Declan Rice and Adam Wharton have both pulled out of the England squad over the last few days, meaning Tuchel should give Garner another chance to prove his worth in the middle of the park.He would likely be paired with Elliot Anderson, while Kobbie Mainoo and Henderson are also vying to start, but are less deserving than the Toffees midfielder.
Jarrod BowenThe respective exits of Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke from the camp have left the door wide open for Bowen to start on the right flank against Japan.He struggled to make much of an impact off the bench against Uruguay, but has been in fine form at club level, with two goals and three assists in his last five West Ham games.Bowen has only registered one goal and assist each in 21 Three Lions appearances since his debut in 2022, but he only started seven of those games, and has arguably deserved more trust from the three bosses who have selected him so far.This seems like the perfect time for him to be handed a start to show what he can do, especially to see how he performs under pressure, as he is effectively playing for his place in the England squad this summer.