As England prepares for their upcoming friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, a significant development has emerged regarding Eberechi Eze. Just before the matches, it was confirmed that Eze has been ruled out due to a calf injury.
On March 22, 2026, at Wembley Stadium, manager Mikel Arteta announced that Eze would not be participating in the friendlies, stating, “No. He’s out. We have to do another scan in six or seven days and wait and see the results. It is his calf.” This injury follows Eze’s absence from the Carabao Cup final, where he was also sidelined due to a lower leg injury.
In light of Eze’s injury, Harvey Barnes has been called up to replace him in the England squad. Barnes, who is 28 years old, has had an impressive season with Newcastle United, scoring 14 goals in all competitions and missing only one Premier League game this season.
Barnes last played for the England national team in October 2020, when he earned his only cap in a friendly against Wales. His return to the squad comes at a crucial time as England prepares for two international fixtures.
England is set to face Uruguay on March 27 and Japan on March 31, making Barnes’s inclusion timely. With Eze’s absence, the team will look to Barnes to contribute significantly in these matches.
The decision to replace Eze with Barnes highlights the depth of talent available to the England squad, but it also underscores the challenges posed by injuries at this level of competition. Eze’s ongoing recovery will be closely monitored, especially with another scan scheduled in the coming days.
As the situation develops, the impact of Eze’s injury on England’s performance in the friendlies remains to be seen. The team will aim to maintain their competitive edge without one of their key players.
For fans and analysts alike, this sequence of events is crucial as it not only affects the current squad but also the future selections as the team gears up for more significant tournaments ahead.