England to host Belgium and Netherlands in June

 

England, unbeaten in nine matches under Sarina Wiegman, will take on Belgium at Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Molineux Stadium - scene of last month’s Arnold Clark Cup triumph - on Thursday 16 June.

 

The Lionesses will then welcome the Netherlands, the reigning European champions, to Leeds United’s Elland Road on Friday 24 June. Both matches are set to kick off at 8pm.

 

Tickets for both fixtures will go on sale exclusively to My England Football members from 1pm on Wednesday 9 March. Sign up for free to become a member of My England Football for this and more benefits now.

 

General sale will begin from 1pm on Thursday 10 March, with tickets available online.

 

An overseas fixture against opposition to be confirmed will then be played before Wiegman’s squad return to England to begin the last preparations for the opening match of the UEFA European Championship against Austria at Old Trafford, Manchester on Wednesday 6 July.

 

Wiegman said: “Although at the moment we are fully focused on the two upcoming April qualifiers, with the EUROs approaching you also feel the excitement growing. These matches against Belgium and the Netherlands will be just the challenge we need in the last weeks of our work to be ready for the EUROs.

 

"I hope we can continue the progress we have shown so far and build on the strong team spirit and togetherness that we will need to have in the final tournament. And of course playing Netherlands, and seeing so many familiar faces again who Arjan and I have worked with for many years gives a special touch to a game against good opposition.

England have also confirmed the Lionesses will be based at the national football centre at St. George’s Park in Staffordshire in the build-up to the two warm-up fixtures and the opening match of the EURO.

 

The June fixtures will follow two 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers away to North Macedonia and Northern Ireland on 8 and 12 April respectively with the Lionesses top of qualifying Group D on the road to Australia and New Zealand.

 

England’s year began in February with 1-1 and 0-0 draws against Canada and Spain in turn before a 3-1 defeat of Germany at Molineux ensured the Lionesses were winners of the inaugural Arnold Clark Cup.