It was victory for England against New Zealand in Tampa, Florida.
A glorified training session played in searing heat.
The first of two warm up matches ahead of their World Cup group games, with Costa Rica to follow as the opponents on Wednesday in Orlando.
As always with these England friendlies, I struggle to understand why anybody bothers actually going to watch in person.
I understand the need for such warm up matches ahead of a tournament but for me they should just play them behind closed doors. There again, there is money to be made…
A tedious first half ended with a rare moment of quality and excitement, a decent cross from Djed Spence and a class flick header from Harry Kane into the far corner.
Thomas Tuchel made 11 changes for the second half and for Newcastle United fans, a very familiar look to the England team after the break.
Newcastle United duo Dan Burn and Tino Livramento at left centre-back and left-back respectively. Whilst that was made up into a ‘Newcastle United’ quintet as playing alongside them were Anthony Gordon, Ivan Toney and Elliot Anderson. When you take into account Chris Wood was up front for New Zealand and James Trafford (who almost feels like he is a United player considering we have been continually trying to sign him for at least a couple of years), you could almost have had a combined NUFC team…
I thought England looked marginally better after the break but then that isn’t saying much. Burn and Tino did ok, although New Zealand offered nothing. Elliot Anderson was decent, as was Anthony Gordon, though Ivan Toney looks way off the pace and not even fit. For my money, if Harry Kane isn’t available at any point, or is subbed, then for sure I would have Watkins or Gordon through the middle ahead of Toney.
Ironically, the most excitement in the match was generated by an England player who isn’t even in the World Cup squad. You can see why Bayern Munich are keen to sign Liverpool’s 17-year-old winger Rio Ngumoha, he was direct and looked to take his man on all the time from his right wing position.
The record books will show another England win and Harry Kane goal, the two things invariably going hand in hand.
So the final warm up match on Wednesday against Costa Rica, before the first England World Cup group game on Wednesday 17 June against Croatia.
Elsewhere, Nick Woltemade and Malick Thiaw were unused subs as Germany won 2-1 against the USA. Havertz and Sane with the Germany goals, Fulham’s Robinson with the hosts’ consolation. Germany play their first group match against Curacao next Sunday (14 June).
Bruno Guimaraes man of the match and scoring for Brazil in a 2-1 win over Egypt as well on Saturday. Brazil play Morocco in their opening group game on Saturday (13 June).
The 2026 World Cup finals begin on Thursday 11 June and run through until the final on Sunday 19 July.
All of the World Cup warm up matches for the Newcastle United players called up are listed below, then their group games schedule at the finals.
The warm up friendlies and 2026 World Cup group games schedule for Newcastle United players:
Wednesday 10 June
England v Costa Rica (Dan Burn, Tino Livramento) Friendly at neutral venue, Orlando
Saturday 13 June
Morocco v Brazil (Bruno Guimaraes) World Cup group match 11pm BBC
Sunday 14 June
Curacao v Germany (Malick Thiaw, Nick Woltemade) World Cup group match 6pm ITV
Monday 15 June
Tunisia v Sweden (Anthony Elanga) World Cup group match 3am ITV
Wednesday 17 June
Portugal v DR Congo (Yoane Wissa) World Cup group match 6pm BBC
Croatia v England (Dan Burn, Tino Livramento) World Cup group match 9pm ITV
Saturday 20 June
Haiti v Brazil (Bruno Guimaraes) World Cup group match 1.30am ITV
Ivory Coast v Germany (Malick Thiaw, Nick Woltemade) World Cup group match 9pm ITV
Netherlands v Sweden (Anthony Elanga) World Cup group match 6pm BBC
Tuesday 23 June
Ghana v England (Dan Burn, Tino Livramento) World Cup group match 9pm BBC
Wednesday 24 June
Scotland v Brazil (Bruno Guimaraes) World Cup group match 11pm BBC
Colombia v DR Congo (Yoane Wissa) World Cup group match 3am ITV
Thursday 25 June
Ecuador v Germany (Malick Thiaw, Nick Woltemade) World Cup group match 9pm BBC
Friday 26 June
Japan v Sweden (Anthony Elanga) World Cup group match 12am BBC
Saturday 27 June
Panama v England (Dan Burn, Tino Livramento) World Cup group match 10pm ITV
Sunday 28 June
Uzbekistan v DR Congo (Yoane Wissa) World Cup group match 12.30am BBC