MAY 23, 2018 – After facing an tough challenge from visiting Athletico Madrid, Nigeria’s World Cup 2018 preparations continue in earnest as Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions take on England at Wembley.
Having named his provisional 23-man squad for this summer’s finals in Russia, Southgate will be under pressure to impress in England’s final home game at the national stadium before the tournament.
Southgate will be confident of a win with a talented young squad following a pain-free qualification process, but the Super Eagles will want to make a statement with a promising squad of their own.
Start time
England host Nigeria at Wembley on Saturday 2 June, with kick-off at 5:15pm Nigerian Time.
James Olley analyses the England World Cup squad announcement
TV, online and live stream coverage
The match will be televised live on ITV. You will be able to follow the match with Standard Sport’s dedicated blog LIVE from Wembley.
Prediction
England to win:
Draw:
Head to Wembley’s official website for the latest ticket information,
Head to head
England and Nigeria have faced each other twice: the two teams drew 0-0 at the 2002 World Cup, while the Three Lions won a friendly 1-0 back in 1994.
Team news
England World Cup squad
England announce 23-man World Cup squad
Butland (Stoke), Pickford (Everton), Pope (Burnley); Jones (Man Utd), Cahill (Chelsea), Walker (Man City), Trippier (Tottenham), Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Rose (Tottenham), Young (Man Utd), Stones (Man City), Maguire (Leicester); Dier (Tottenham), Henderson (Liverpool), Delph (Man City), Loftus-Cheek (Chelsea), Lingard (Man Utd), Alli (Tottenham); Kane (Tottenham), Rashford (Man Utd), Vardy (Leicester), Sterling (Man City), Welbeck (Arsenal).
Stand-by list: Heaton (Burnley), Tarkowski (Burnley), L Cook (Bournemouth), Livermore (West Brom), Lallana (Liverpool)
Nigeria World Cup squad
Goalkeepers: Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Enyimba FC), Francis Uzoho (Deportivo La Coruna, Spain), Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United, South Africa), Dele Ajiboye (Plateau United).
Defenders: Abdullahi Shehu (Bursaspor FC, Turkey), Tyronne Ebuehi (Ado Den Haag, The Netherlands), Olaoluwa Aina (Hull City, England), Elderson Echiejile (Cercle Brugge KSV, Belgium), Brian Idowu (Amkar Perm, Russia), Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France), William Ekong (Bursaspor FC, Turkey), Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05, Germany), Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa FC, Turkey), Stephen Eze (Lokomotiv Plovdiv, Bulgaria).
Midfielders: John Obi Mikel (Tianjin Teda, China), Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey), Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England), Oghenekaro Etebo (UD Las Palmas, Spain), John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel), Uche Agbo (Standard Liege, Belgium), Joel Obi (Torino FC, Italy), Mikel Agu (Bursaspor FC, Turkey).
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England), Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium), Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England), Odion Ighalo (Changchun Yatai, China), Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England), Nwankwo Simeon (Crotone FC, Italy), Junior Lokosa (Kano Pillars)
