England to play Cote D'Ivoire at Wembley

 

The match against the two-time African champions on Tuesday 29 March (7.45pm BST kick-off) will be the first meeting between the two nations at senior level.

 

The Ivorians are currently competing in the rescheduled 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, their ninth successive continental finals. 

 

Their maiden visit to Wembley will present an important test for the Three Lions on the road to this year’s 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. It will be the first time that Gareth Southgate’s squad have faced non-European opposition since November 2018.

There have been previous meetings with Cote D'Ivoire at development level, with the Maurice Revello Tournament in Toulon staging MU20 games in 2015 and 2017. In 2015, Jordan Pickford started in a 2-1 win while both Reece James and Harvey Barnes featured in the 2017 final when the Young Lions won the title after a 1-1 draw and a penalty shootout.  

A date against Switzerland on Saturday 26 March (5.30pm kick-off) has already been confirmed with that fixture designated as an Alzheimer’s Society International in support of the FA’s official charity partnership. 

 

England fans will be able to purchase tickets for both games with on-sale details as follows: 

 

Monday 24 January (12pm) - Sunday 30 January (11.59pm): On-sale to England Supporters Travel Club members 

Monday 31 January (12pm) - Sunday 6 February (11.59pm): On-sale to My England Football members

Monday 7 February (12pm): General sale

 

 

Beyond March, England’s World Cup preparations will turn to the UEFA Nations League having been drawn in Group A3 alongside Italy, Germany and Hungary.