Soccer-England to play New Zealand and Costa Rica in World Cup warm-up games


Soccer Football - World Cup - UEFA Qualifiers - Group K - Albania v England - Air Albania Stadium, Tirana, Albania - November 16, 2025 England's Harry Kane celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates REUTERS/Florion Goga

Feb 11 (Reuters) - ⁠England will play New Zealand ⁠and Costa Rica in Florida in ‌June as part of their preparations for the 2026 World Cup, the Football Association ​said on Wednesday.

Thomas Tuchel's ⁠side will take ⁠on New Zealand on June 6 ⁠before ‌facing Costa Rica on June 10, with the venues ⁠to be announced at a later ​date.

England ‌last played Costa Rica in a ⁠friendly ​win in 2018 while they also faced the Central American side in ⁠the 2014 World Cup ​where they played out a 0-0 draw.

New Zealand, who have also qualified ⁠for the World Cup, last faced England in 1991, losing two friendlies in Auckland and Wellington.

At the ​2026 World Cup, which ⁠kicks off on June 11, England ​will face Croatia, ‌Ghana and Panama in ​Group L.

(Reporting by Rohith Nair in BengaluruEditing by Toby Davis)

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