Combined XI: England v Brazil

Ahead of England's international friendly against Brazil at Wembley, we have put together a combined XI comprised of current players from both nations.

In what will mark the 27th meeting between the two famous footballing nations, Gareth Southgate's England will test their Euros credentials against a Brazil side preparing for their own major tournament this summer in the form of the Copa America.

Boasting two of the best squads in world football at the moment, it will be interesting to see how England fare against Brazil in Dorival Junior's first game as manager, with the South Americans currently two places below the Three Lions in the world rankings in fifth.

In order to whet the appetite ahead of this glamour friendly in London, we've put together a combined XI including players form both nations, lining up in a total football 4-3-3 formation:

GK: Alisson (Brazil)

Currently sidelined for club and country due to a hamstring injury, Liverpool's Alisson has developed into one of the world's top goalkeepers since arriving at Anfield from Roma in 2018.

An all-round keeper, Alisson is particularly skilled in one-on-one situations, with the 31-year-old possessing tremendous shot-stopping ability and cat-like reflexes.

Named in the FIFPro World 11 on two occasions in 2019 and 2020, Alisson will seek to crystallise his reputation as one of the top keepers on the planet as Brazil seek to win their 10th Copa America title in the United States this summer.

RB: Kyle Walker (England)

A key member of Manchester City's Treble-winning side last season, Kyle Walker must surely be considered one of the world's top right-backs at the moment.

Boasting breathtaking speed which enables him to keep up with even the most fleet-footed of wingers both in the Premier League and in Europe, Walker has grown into an important leader within this juggernaut of a City side under Pep Guardiola, having taken on the team captaincy this season.

Capped 81 times by England, 33-year-old Walker will be desperate to add a major international honour to his brimming trophy cabinet at this summer's Euros in Germany.

CB: John Stones (England)

A teammate of Walker at Man City, John Stones is another influential part of Guardiola's winning machine at the Etihad.

Naturally a ball-playing centre-back, Stones' performances in holding midfield at the back end of City's Treble-winning campaign last term turned heads, with the Barnsley academy graduate uber composed and assured in possession.

With centre-back somewhat of a problem position for England at the moment, John Stones represents one of Gareth Southgate's most indispensable players ahead of the Euros this summer.

CB: Marquinhos (Brazil)

Another of Brazil's key players who is unavailable for his country's clash with England due to injury, Marquinhos has developed into one of the most accomplished defenders in Europe at PSG.

A defender with impressive technical ability which allows him to also fill in in midfield when necessary, 29-year-old Marquinhos has won a total of eight Ligue 1 titles with PSG.

Capped 84 times at international level, Marquinhos won an Olympic Gold medal in a home Games for Brazil in 2016, and was also part of the national side which won the Copa America in 2019.

LB: Luke Shaw (England)

Arguably one of the relative weaknesses in this combined XI, Manchester United's Luke Shaw sneaks in at left-back given his consistency in an England shirt in recent major tournaments.

Scorer of the opening goal in the Euro 2020 final as England were eventually beaten by Italy on penalties, ex-Southampton youngster Shaw is the Three Lions' number one pick at left-back when fit and available.

Defensively dependable and difficult to beat in one-v-one situations, Shaw is also capable of providing assists in the final third with pinpoint deliveries down the left flank.

CM: Declan Rice (England)

One of the first names on the team sheet for England manager Southgate, Declan Rice has taken his game to a new level since signing for Arsenal from West Ham for a club-record £105m fee last summer.

A naturally defensive minded midfielder, Rice has become increasingly capable of driving forward and providing goals and assists from the middle of the park, with the 25-year-old also possessing innate leadership skills.

Entering the prime of his career at an impressive Arsenal side assembled by Mikel Arteta, Rice will want to elevate his stock in the game further when competing in his third international tournament for England at the Euros in Germany.

CM: Jude Bellingham (England)

Quite literally the Golden Boy of football at the moment having been awarded this prize as the best young player in Europe in 2023, 20-year-old Jude Bellingham has been sensational in his first season at Real Madrid since an £88.5m move from Borussia Dortmund last summer.

Deployed in an advanced midfield role at Real Madrid, Bellingham has registered 20 goals for Los Blancos so far this season in all competitions as Carlo Ancelotti's side close in on a 36th La Liga title.

Bellingham is so good that Gareth Southgate looks set to build his England team around the Birmingham City academy graduate at this summer's Euros, with the Real Madrid star positioned in a number 10 role within a 4-2-3-1 tactical setup.

CM: Phil Foden (England)

Lining up alongside Bellingham in this attack minded 4-3-3 set up is another of Europe's most in-form players at the moment - Man City's Phil Foden.

Long touted as one of the next stars of world football, Foden has enjoyed a sublime season under Pep Guardiola at the Etihad - registering 18 goals and 10 assists in all competitions.

Capable of playing on both flanks and centrally, Foden has thrived when given license to roam in a more central position at City this season, with the 23-year-old blessed with outstanding dribbling skills and vision.

RW: Bukayo Saka (England)

Consistently brilliant for his country, Bukayo Saka's game continues to come on leaps and bounds under Mikel Arteta at Arsenal.

Contributing 31 goal contributions in all competitions for the Gunners so far this term - 16 goals and 15 assists - Saka looks to have his position on the right side of England's midfield locked down ahead of the Euros.

Capable of both unlocking tight defences and posing a threat on the counter attack, 22-year-old Saka has the ability to be an England mainstay for years to come.

ST: Harry Kane (England)

Captain of his country and England's all-time leading goalscorer, Harry Kane will lead the Three Lions' assault on the Euros crown in Germany this summer.

Ending a 19-year association with Tottenham to sign for German giants Bayern Munich for £100m last summer, Kane has proved a revelation for the Bavarians - scoring 31 Bundesliga goals in 26 appearances so far in his debut campaign.

Despite his goalscoring exploits throughout his career, Kane is still staggeringly seeking his first major honour as a professional, something which will be firmly on his mind as England attempt to win their first ever Euros title in the Bayern Munich striker's new home country of Germany this summer.

LM: Vinicius Junior (Brazil)

One of the stars of world football, Vinicius Jr has been on fire for Real Madrid this season - recording 18 goals and eight assists in all competitions.

A direct winger with lightning speed, the ex-Flamengo prodigy's final product continues to improve as he grows into one of Los Blancos' main men.

With only three goals in 26 appearances for Brazil, Vinicius will be keen to make a bigger impact for his country at the Copa America later this year.

Full England/Brazil Combined XI (4-3-3): Alisson, Walker, Stones, Marquinhos, Shaw, Rice, Bellingham, Foden, Saka, Kane, Vinicius Jr.