Ultimately aiming to secure automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup, England get their Group K campaign under way on Friday evening, when they welcome Albania to Wembley.
After weeks of speculation, Thomas Tuchel's first squad featured some surprises - most notably the shock recall of veteran midfielder Jordan Henderson - as Dan Burn and Myles Lewis-Skelly were both called up for the first time.
Cole Palmer withdrew due to injury - with Morgan Gibbs-White coming in as his replacement - but Tuchel's approach in the final third remains something of a mystery, with Phil Foden and the returning Marcus Rashford among his more experienced options.
Alternatively, any two of Gibbs-White, Morgan Rogers, Jarrod Bowen, Anthony Gordon and Eberechi Eze could be entrusted with the task of supporting the Three Lions' lone striker.
No slave to a system, the ex-Chelsea coach has used various formations throughout his career, but either a 4-2-3-1 or 3-4-2-1 setup is expected - the latter shape could be preserved for games against higher-ranked teams than Albania.
While Kyle Walker should start on the right, several contenders are vying for one place on the left side of England's defence: Lewis-Skelly, who was only recently converted into a full-back by club boss Mikel Arteta; Newcastle United's EFL Cup final hero Burn; Levi Colwill of Chelsea; and even Tino Livramento.
Despite being an intermittent presence in the Ajax team, Henderson may be handed his first cap since November 2023 if Tuchel's positive comments about the 34-year-old are anything to go by: the ex-Liverpool man could beat former teammate Curtis Jones to selection.
Amid all the doubt, there are at least four certain starters, as Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice are set to feature in midfield, Jordan Pickford is undisputed first choice in goal, and star striker Harry Kane continues as captain.
England possible starting lineup: Pickford; Walker, Guehi, Colwill, Lewis-Skelly; Henderson, Rice; Foden, Bellingham, Rashford; Kane
Jonathan O'Shea
