Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media

Daniel Davis

Mon 30 March 2026 18:10, UK

James Garner is set to be given another invaluable opportunity to confirm his World Cup spot with England after the Everton man’s impressive debut.

Garner played 69 minutes of the Three Lions’ 1-1 friendly draw with Uruguay at Wembley last time out and has remained with the squad ahead of Tuesday’s visit of Japan.

After he caught the eye on his senior bow, boss Thomas Tuchel likened the 25-year-old to a “mini-Valverde”, and his statistics certainly matched up to the Real Madrid maestro.

While his performance didn’t stray beyond steady, it would have been more than enough to make an impression on the German as he prepares to name his World Cup squad.

Garner will shortly return to domestic action with Everton, but before he heads back to Merseyside, he will hope to be given one final opportunity to ensure Tuchel can’t ignore him.

James Garner will benefit from England injuries

Tuchel adopted a novel approach for the two friendlies in this international break, splitting his squad in two to allow his “core” players to be given some much-needed rest.

Midfield anchor Declan Rice was one of a group of 11 who were rested against Uruguay, before he eventually joined up with the rest of the camp for training on Friday.

However, the 27-year-old will already return to Arsenal for a medical assessment, leaving the door wide open for Garner to bag himself more invaluable minutes in the middle of the park.

Speaking on Monday, Tuchel provided an update on Rice and his club team-mate Bukayo Saka. Had Garner been listening in, his ears may have pricked up in quiet excitement.

“They wanted desperately to play to get the narrative straight, but it made no sense to take the risk,” said Tuchel. “If it were the last game of the season, we would have kept them.

“But in this moment of the season, it didn’t make sense. The risk for making it was too big.”

Garner has also proven himself adept at taking opportunities when they come his way, and the friendly against Japan, again at Wembley, is unlikely to be any different.

Everton will be quietly nervous about Garner

However, there are two downsides to his newfound international prominence.

Garner’s heroics for England could be bad news for Everton with big clubs certain to be circling, while those on Merseyside will be hoping he doesn’t pick up an untimely injury.

With Garner helping to pull the strings, the club are now just three points off the Champions League spots, and they will be relying on him to carry them over the line.

This season, he has scored two goals and provided six assists, moving him level with Jack Grealish at Hill Dickinson Stadium, but Tuchel believes he will get even better.

These creative powers could be on show against Japan on Tuesday night. Everton will just hope it doesn’t come at the expense of a potentially campaign-defining issue.