England confirm World Cup base camp as two pre-tournament friendly fixtures are revealed

England have announced their pre-World Cup friendlies and confirmed where they will be based for the tournament.

The Three Lions will be taking on New Zealand and Costa Rica in their final games before kicking off their campaign this summer.

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Thomas Tuchel‘s side had been waiting to confirm their plans for the build-up to the competition in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

And now, they’ve announced the friendlies that will be taking place, with the first against New Zealand on Saturday, June 6.

Then, four days later, England will be taking on Costa Rica.

That clash on June 10 comes just one day before the opening game of the World Cup between Mexico and South Africa.

The games will be played in the Three Lions’ preparation camp in South Florida and stadiums will be confirmed in due course.

England will be playing New Zealand for the first time since 1991, while they last faced Costa Rica eight years ago.

On top of the friendly announcements, England have also revealed where their base camp will be in the USA.

Tuchel’s squad will be based in Kansas City, Missouri for the entirety of their World Cup campaign.

They will be based at Swope City Soccer Village, with the FA revealing the decision was made in January 2025.

Kansas City was selected as their base after an ‘extensive search’.

www.youtube.com/@sportingkcyouth

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Heading to Kansas City

So, England will be heading to Swope Soccer Village to stay for the duration of the World Cup this summer.

The complex is one of MLS side Sporting Kansas City’s training facilities and is the home of the team’s MLS Next Pro set-up.

It is located in the heart of Kansas City’s Swope Park and has previously hosted other national sides.

Swope Soccer Village opened in 2007 and will now welcome the England squad for the tournament.

The Three Lions will be based centrally in the United States, which will help reduce travel to and from fixtures.

Tuchel’s side’s group games are set to be held in Dallas, Boston and New Jersey, with their longest flight expected to be three hours.

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England’s World Cup schedule

England will also be taking on Uruguay and Japan at Wembley Stadium at the end of March in their final games on home turf.

But then they will travel to begin their pre-tournament fixtures and here’s how their confirmed schedule is looking…

Pre-World Cup friendlies

• June 6: England vs New Zealand – South Florida
• June 10: England vs Costa Rica – South Florida

World Cup 2026 group stage

• June 17: England vs Croatia – Dallas – 9pm UK time
• June 23: England vs Ghana – Boston – 9pm UK time
• June 27: England vs Panama – New Jersey – 10pm UK time