Serbian fans banned from England game as FA release damning statement

England will play their penultimate World Cup qualifying match when they welcome Serbia to Wembley next Thursday. But the visitors will be short of support in the stadium as Serbia have refused to sell tickets to their own fans.

England have already cemented their place at next summer's World Cup after winning all six of their qualifying matches to date. The Three Lions defeated Serbia 5-0 in Belgrade in September as Thomas Tuchel's side continued their strong run of form. But that match was marred by controversy, with some England players targeted by a green laser in the crowd during the first half. Serbia fans then clashed in the stands as riot police were forced to intervene.

A month after that encounter, Serbia were slapped with an £83,000 fine due to the behaviour of some of their supporters during the team's World Cup qualifier against Albania.

And Serbia have decided not to sell their away allocation of tickets for their trip to London.

Ahead of the match at Wembley, a statement from the Serbia FA read: "In view of past experience and the multi-million fines that have been paid, not only when matches are played at home, but also due to incidents at away fixtures, the Football Association of Serbia will not undertake the organised sale of tickets for the away section at Wembley Stadium, nor assume responsibility for the behaviour of supporters at the upcoming match against the England national team.

"The Football Association of Serbia calls on all fans to observe regulations and fair play principles, and to support the national team in a sporting spirit and without incidents."

England have breezed through their qualifying group and are yet to concede a single goal.

The Three Lions began their qualifying campaign with back-to-back home matches in March as they defeated Albania 2-0 before seeing off Latvia 3-0 three days later.

Tuchel's side narrowly overcame Andorra 1-0 in their first away match in June before overcoming the same nation 2-0 at Wembley in September.

The thrashing of Serbia followed during the first international break of this season before the 1966 World Cup winners turned on the style again with a 5-0 hammering of Latvia away from home last month.

The 2026 World Cup will get underway on Thursday, June 11 and will be jointly hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico. The World Cup draw will be made on December 5, when England will discover who they will play in the group stages.