England’s late 2026 World Cup start gives FA headache over warm-up matches
A report from Theguardian says the Football Association is experiencing difficulties securing suitable opposition for England’s World Cup warm-up games because of their late start to the expanded 48-team tournament. England open against Croatia on 17 June, six days after the first match of the tournament, and head coach Thomas Tuchel wants final preparation games as close to the team’s kick-off as possible.
Tuchel is understood to have requested friendlies near England’s pre-tournament training camp in Florida on 6 and 10 June, but Fifa regulations preventing participants from playing friendlies in the final five days before their first game limit options for a 10 June match.
The FA is in discussions with several national associations and confirmation of opponents is expected this month, with New Zealand and Costa Rica understood to be under consideration.
England, Florida