England to face Nigeria, Costa Rica in June

CAIRO – 11 January 2018: The English Football Association announced on Wednesday that they have arranged for two friendly games against Nigeria and Costa Rica in June before the team’s participation in the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

The World Cup draw put England in Group G, alongside Tunisia, Panama and Belgium.
Speaking about the two games, England’s manager, Gareth Southgate, said, “We are going into a World Cup where we will play African and Central American opposition, so we get that with the games against Nigeria and Costa Rica. But it’s not just about the games we’ve got in the group, it’s hopefully beyond that as well.”

England will host Nigeria at Wembley on June 2 before playing against Costa Rica five days later at Leeds United Stadium, Elland Road.

Southgate added, “We want to expose the team to different styles and different experiences.”

England will play two friendly games in March. The team will travel to the Netherlands to face their national team on March 23, before playing against Italy at Wembley four days later.