BELGRADE, Serbia – Group leaders England face their toughest test of the World Cup qualifying campaign on Tuesday when they travel to face unbeaten Serbia in a crucial clash between the top two teams in Group K.
The match at Stadion Rajko Mitić pits two defensively resilient sides yet to concede in qualifying. England arrive with a perfect record from four matches, though their performances – including Saturday’s labored 2-0 victory over Andorra – have raised questions about their attacking effectiveness under manager Thomas Tuchel.
Serbia present a formidable challenge, particularly at home where they are unbeaten in World Cup qualifying since October 2012 (W9, D4). Dragan Stojković’s side secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Latvia on Saturday to maintain their own unbeaten start to the campaign (W2, D1) and extend their overall unbeaten run to seven matches.
Historical precedent offers limited guidance, with England winning the only previous meeting 1-0 at Euro 2024 through a Jude Bellingham header. Both teams boast in-form strikers – Harry Kane and Aleksandar Mitrović have each scored three goals in qualifying – while defensive solidity has been a hallmark for both nations.
England will be without defender John Stones, who returned to Manchester City with a muscle injury, while Serbia welcome back Mitrović to full fitness. The match may hinge on which side can break through disciplined defenses, with both teams demonstrating a tendency to score early in matches.
For England, victory would establish a commanding five-point lead at the top of the group. Serbia, meanwhile, can draw level on points with a win, setting up a dramatic conclusion to the qualifying campaign. The encounter represents a critical juncture for both nations’ World Cup aspirations, with the result likely to shape the group’s ultimate hierarchy.