Football
PA Sport 9y

England planning friendlies against top European teams before Euro 2016

England look set to play friendlies against France, Spain, Germany and Netherlands should they qualify for Euro 2016, according to manager Roy Hodgson.

Provided England reach the European Championship -- and there is no suggestion they will fail to do so after winning their first five games -- they will have a window for two friendlies in November, when the third-placed teams will be involved in play-offs.

The Football Association is looking to give England a real test during that period by taking on France at Wembley on November 17 and it then hopes to set up a friendly in Spain later that month.

An FA spokesman confirmed on Tuesday England had agreed to play a friendly against world champions Germany in March.

The FA is also in discussions with its Dutch counterparts about facing the World Cup semifinalists prior to the tournament, which takes place in France.

"We'll have four or five games before France, and each of those will be played against top-class opponents, we think," manager Roy Hodgson said on the eve of England's friendly against Italy in Turin.

"We have Germany, France, Spain and Holland in mind."

^ Back to Top ^