England Women to play four home friendlies in build-up to World Cup

Katie Whyatt, Women's Football Reporter 5 February 2019 • 2:27pm

England Women will play four home friendlies between April and June as they ramp up their preparations for the World Cup in France this summer.

The ‘Road to France’ series comprises a friendly against Canada at Manchester City’s Academy Stadium on Friday April 5 before the Lionesses host Spain at Swindon Town’s County Ground four days later.

Saturday May 25 sees the visit of Euro 2017 runners-up Denmark at Walsall’s Bescot Stadium, while their final game before the tournament, on Saturday June 1, will be against New Zealand at the Amex, Brighton.

Before the Road to France Series, England will play their first fixtures of the calendar year at the SheBelieves Cup in the United States later this month, where they will face Brazil, Japan and the USA.

Head coach Phil Neville said: “The World Cup is firmly in sight now and I’m really happy with this group of fixtures. It’s great that we can visit four different parts of the country.

“Being up against three more fellow [World Cup] finalists and the last Euro runners-up is just what we need. We will certainly hit the ground running when we get to France.

“This is a huge year for my players and staff, and we are raring to go. Every single day spent working at St. George’s Park is with the World Cup in mind, and we are going to France with the aim of making the country proud.”