90min

England Women Confirm Return to Action With Germany Friendly in October

By Jamie Spencer

England will play their first games since March against Germany in October
England will play their first games since March against Germany in October / VI-Images/Getty Images
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England Women will return to action against Germany in October, with a high profile international friendly lined up between the Lionesses and the two-time World Cup winners.

England haven’t played since travelling to the SheBelieves Cup in March as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on global sport and the clash at the Brita-Arena in Wiesbaden in the west of Germany will go ahead on Tuesday 27 October.

England haven't played since the SheBelieves Cup in March
England haven't played since the SheBelieves Cup in March / Brad Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images

England famously hosted Germany in front of a 77,768 crowd at Wembley last November, setting a new attendance record for a Lionesses home game. This time around, COVID-19 safety measures ensure the game in October will be played behind closed doors with no fans.

Prior to heading to Germany, England manager Phil Neville will assemble a squad for a five-day training camp at St George’s Park from 15-21 September. It is the first time that Lionesses players will have had the chance to get together and train for six months.

“I know the players are so hungry to pull on an England shirt again and this is a good test to see where we are early in the new season against strong opposition,” Neville said.

“Germany away is a tough challenge but we know what we are capable of producing.  I’m sure the players are excited about testing themselves against one of the best teams in the world.

England faced Germany in front of a 77,768 record crowd at Wembley when the teams last met in November 2019
England faced Germany in front of a 77,768 record crowd at Wembley when the teams last met in November 2019 / Paul Harding/Getty Images

“Next year is going to be a vital one for the players ahead of some major international tournaments in quick succession. While you can never fully replicate the pressure of a major finals, I know my squad will take a lot from the experience and I am sure the fans will be relishing the chance to see us play again – even if, unfortunately, it has to be on television.”

Other autumn international matches are yet to be confirmed but the FA is working on a programme of fixtures that intended to test England’s performance levels and allow fans around the country to see the Lionesses at different venues.

The FA is overseeing the Great Britain team at the delayed Tokyo Olympics next summer, before England host the European Championship in 2022, seeking a first every major international trophy. The next Women’s World Cup then follows in 2023 in Australia and New Zealand.

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