England play their first game since the World Cup finals in Qatar when they take on Italy in their opening Euro 2024 qualifier on Thursday.

Here are all the details you need to know about the game…


WHERE IS THE GAME TAKING PLACE?

England’s opening game of the Euros qualifying campaign in Group C is also their toughest, as they head to Naples to take on Italy in the recently-renamed Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.

The two sides met as recently as last September, with England suffering a 1-0 Nations League defeat to Italy in the San Siro in Milan. England’s last victory over Italy came back in August 2012, when goals from Phil Jagielka and Jermain Defoe secured a 2-1 win in a friendly that was played in Berne.

This will be England’s third game in Naples, although neither of the previous two matches pitted them against Italy. They beat Cameroon 3-2 in the quarter-finals of the 1990 World Cup and also claimed a 2-1 win over Spain in the European Championships in 1980.


WHAT TIME IS KICK-OFF?

Thursday’s game kicks off at 7.45pm.


IS THE GAME BEING TELEVISED OR STREAMED LIVE?

Yes, Thursday’s game is being screened live on Channel 4, with the programme starting at 7pm. The game will also be streamed live for free on All 4. Channel 4 also have the rights for England’s home qualifying game against Ukraine at Wembley this weekend.

Radio commentary will be available BBC Five Live and talkSPORT.


WHAT IS ENGLAND’S LIKELY LINE-UP?

Gareth Southgate has had three high-profile drop-outs from his squad this week, with Nick Pope, Mason Mount and Marcus Rashford all unavailable because of injury. While Pope and Mount would probably have been on the bench, Rashford’s fine form with Manchester United means he would almost certainly have been in the starting line-up had he been available.

Southgate will have to decide whether to play with a flat back four or a back five, but looks likely to stick with Harry Maguire and John Stones at the heart of his defence.

Jude Bellingham will almost certainly partner Declan Rice at the heart of midfield, with the pair having performed so impressively in Qatar, with Harry Kane once again set to start as England’s central striker.

England (probable, 5-2-3): Pickford; Trippier, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Rice, Bellingham; Saka, Kane, Foden.


HOW ARE ITALY SHAPING UP?

Roberto Mancini has selected three uncapped players in his 30-man squad to face England. Lecce goalkeeper Wladimiro Falcone, Torino defender Alessandro Buongiorno and Atletico Tigre striker Mateo Retegui have all been named in the Italy squad for the first time.

Mancini’s main selection dilemma comes in attack, where Ciro Immobile is out injured and both Giacomo Raspadori and Gianluca Scamacca have been short of game time this season.

This is still an Italy squad packed with quality though, with the likes of Gianluigi Donnarumma, Leonardo Bonucci, Jorginho and Marco Verratti all expected to start.

Italy (probable, 5-3-2): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Toloi, Bonucci, Acerbi, Dimarco; Barella, Jorginho, Verratti; Scamacca, Chiesa.