Talking points ahead of England’s World Cup qualifier with Serbia

England play their final home World Cup qualifier of the campaign when they welcome Serbia to Wembley on Thursday, knowing their spot in North America next summer is safe.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at the key issues surrounding the game.

Hey, Jude!

Jude Bellingham is back in the squad following his surprise omission from October’s camp.

Thomas Tuchel said the Real Madrid star “had to be in” following his recent performances, but it still feels like he has a point to prove.

The England team did just fine without him in September, when he was injured, and last month, when he was left out, and all the noise from inside the camp was about how strong the team spirit was.

Tuchel has said there is “no problem” between the pair after the German apologised over the summer for saying his mother found some of Bellingham’s on-field behaviour “repulsive”, but the Real Madrid star will be keen to offer a reminder of his talents.

Wembley weariness for fans

Tuchel came under fire last month after he criticised Wembley’s atmosphere during his side’s emphatic friendly win over Wales.

The German, who was the butt of travelling fans’ jokes in Latvia a few days later, should not expect much better this time against Serbia.

Tickets are still on sale for England’s last home game of 2025 and, with nothing riding on the match from their point of view, with World Cup qualification already secured, the national stadium is hardly going to be rocking.

It will be interesting to see whether Tuchel’s harsh words have resonated at all or if Thursday’s game descends into another paper aeroplane-throwing contest.

Rashford to get the chance

Marcus Rashford was also in Tuchel’s crosshairs last month as he warned the on-loan Barcelona man not to waste his career, demanding more contribution to England.

He should get a chance against Serbia, and later Albania, as Anthony Gordon is injured.

Rashford, who turned 28 last month, is certainly delivering for Barca, scoring six goals and adding seven assists in 16 appearances this season, but now is the time to step up for the national team.

Pickford going for the perfect 10

It was on October 13, 2024, in a Nations League clash against Finland in Helsinki, that Jordan Pickford last conceded a goal for England.

His following nine appearances have resulted in clean sheets, taking him past Gordon Banks’ previous England record of eight in a row. The only time England have conceded under Tuchel was in a June friendly against Senegal when Pickford did not play.

The Everton goalkeeper, who has been a stalwart for the last eight years, is looking for a perfect 10 against the Serbians on Thursday and will have eyes on going through the entire qualification phase without conceding.

Serbia’s big mission

While England are already looking forward to next summer’s World Cup, Serbia’s fate is very much still up in the air.

A poor campaign, which saw boss Dragan Stojkovic placed by Veljko Paunovic halfway through, leaves them realistically needing to take something from their visit to Wembley if they are to finish second in the group and make the play-offs.

They are a point behind Albania with two games to go, but defeat will almost certainly end their campaign as Albania take on minnows Andorra.

If Serbia are to get through to the play-offs they are likely going to have to at least draw at Wembley and then hope England do them a favour against Albania on Sunday.