The road to the FIFA World Cup is full of drama, surprises, and unforgettable games. On September 9, 2025, all eyes will be on Belgrade, where Serbia host England in a crucial World Championship Qualification (WCQ) Group K clash. Both teams are unbeaten so far, and this game could be one of the biggest in the group, as it puts together a home team with a long streak of resilience and a visiting powerhouse famous for its history and talent.

Match News and Current Form

Let’s start with Serbia. Nicknamed the Eagles, they might not be the flashiest team in Europe, but they’re as tough as they come. Serbia showed that grit in their recent 1-0 win over Latvia, which helped them secure second place in Group K. It wasn’t an easy victory—Latvia defended hard—but Serbia found the breakthrough they needed.

Here’s an impressive stat: Serbia are unbeaten in their last seven international matches (3 wins and 4 draws). That includes some strong performances in the UEFA Nations League. When they play at home, they’re even harder to beat. In fact, they haven’t lost a World Cup qualifying home match since October 2012. That’s 13 straight home qualifiers without defeat (9 wins, 4 draws). And it’s not like they’ve only faced weaker teams. During that run, Serbia held giants like Croatia, Portugal, Denmark, and Spain to draws in Belgrade.

Now, let’s look at England. The Three Lions are sitting at the top of the group and are in scary form. They’ve played four qualifiers, won all four, and haven’t conceded a single goal. Their latest outing was a 2-0 win over Andorra at Villa Park. To be honest, the performance wasn’t very exciting, but the result kept their perfect record alive. Midfielder Elliot Anderson made his debut and impressed, showing England have fresh talent ready to step up.

England also have a fantastic record away from home in qualifiers. They’re unbeaten in their last 16 away World Cup qualifying games (10 wins, 6 draws). That means even in tough stadiums, with loud crowds, they’ve found a way to get results.

So, in short: Serbia are great at home, and England are great on the road. Sounds like a recipe for a high-stakes battle!

Head-to-Head History

These two teams don’t have a long rivalry. In fact, they’ve only played each other once before, and it was recently. At Euro 2024 in Germany, England won 1-0 thanks to a header from Jude Bellingham, one of the brightest young stars in world soccer. Serbia will want revenge, especially in front of their own fans.

Hot Stats and Streaks

Here are some quick-fire stats that make this game even more interesting:

• Serbia’s quick strikes: Three of their last four goals came between the 10th and 25th minute. Twice they scored in the 12th minute. That means England must be awake from the start!

• Serbia’s fortress: The Eagles haven’t conceded a single goal at home since November 2023.

• England’s wall: England haven’t conceded in any of their last six competitive games (all wins).

• England’s fast starts: They have scored first in their last nine away World Cup qualifiers.

So we have Serbia, who are very hard to score against at home, versus England, who love to score first away. Something’s got to give!

Key Players to Watch

Every big game has star players who can change everything. Here are a few names to keep an eye on:

• Aleksandar Mitrović (Serbia): Serbia’s all-time leading scorer is still firing. He’s already got 3 goals in this qualification campaign, the same as England captain Harry Kane. Even more impressive: Serbia have won their last five international games when Mitrović scored. His physical presence and finishing make him a nightmare for defenders.

• Harry Kane (England): England’s captain and all-time top scorer remains the team’s leader. He has 3 goals in this group too. Kane is not just a scorer; he can also drop deep, create chances, and set up teammates.

• Declan Rice (England): The West Ham legend turned Arsenal midfielder is in good form. He scored against Andorra and has two goal contributions (1 goal, 1 assist) in his last three games for club and country. Fun fact: he also assisted England’s second goal against Latvia earlier in this qualifying cycle.

• Elliot Anderson (England): The Newcastle youngster had an impressive debut against Andorra. He’s quick, creative, and could be a surprise weapon in midfield if Gareth Southgate decides to give him more minutes.

Missing Players

Unfortunately for England, John Stones had to leave the squad with a muscle injury. His absence could be a big loss because Stones brings calmness and experience to England’s defence. On the Serbian side, the good news is they don’t have any new injuries. With Mitrović back in full form, Serbia will almost be at full strength.

Why This Game Matters

For Serbia, this is more than just a qualifier. It’s a chance to prove they can compete with the best and show that their unbeaten home record is no fluke. A win would put them in a great position to qualify for the World Cup.

For England, it’s about keeping their perfect run alive and sending a message to the rest of Europe. Winning away against Serbia would confirm that they are one of the top favourites for the 2026 World Cup in North America.

Soccer Facts & News Combo

• Did you know? England have not lost a World Cup qualifier since 2009 (a 1-0 loss to Ukraine). That’s an incredible streak of consistency.

• Serbia are known for producing top strikers like Mitrović, Vlahović, and Jović. They’ve always had strong attacking talent, even if they sometimes struggle in big tournaments.

• England’s former coach, Gareth Southgate, has been in charge since 2016 till January 2025. He’s taken the team to a World Cup semi-final (2018), a Euro final (2021), and another World Cup quarter-final (2022). But fans are hungry for a trophy.

• Serbia’s coach, Dragan Stojković, is a national hero who once captained the team himself. His nickname was Pixi, and he’s known for his attacking style of play.

Final Thoughts

This clash in Belgrade could be one of the highlights of the whole qualification campaign. Serbia will bring their passionate fans, their physical style, and their star striker Mitrović. England will bring their depth, their defensive solidity, and their history of winning qualifiers.

Expect a tight game with a lot of battles in midfield. Serbia will try to score early, but England will look to control possession and strike when it matters. No matter what, it’s going to be a must-watch match for soccer fans everywhere.