England Women are to welcome Northern Ireland and Canada in February and April respectively as they begin preparations for UEFA Women’s EURO 2022.
Newly appointed assistant coach Hege Riise will lead the Lionesses into their first official fixture in almost a year when they face fellow home nation Northern Ireland on Tuesday 23 February (12.30pm kick-off). The match will be played behind closed doors at the home of England football teams, St. George’s Park.
England last faced Northern Ireland back in 2008 when the two sides met in a UEFA European Women’s Championship qualifier in which the Lionesses won after goals from the nation’s all-time record appearance maker, Fara Williams and former captain Faye White.
Northern Ireland have hit a good run of form, winning their last four Women’s EURO qualifiers, sealing third place in their group and a spot in the play-offs for the rescheduled tournament due to begin in June 2022.
England will then look to welcome Canada during the April international window on Tuesday 13 April with a venue and kick-off time still to be confirmed. The match will mark a return for former England Women’s assistant coach Bev Priestman who left the Lionesses in October to become Head Coach of Canada Women. The nations last met back in April 2019 in which Canada won 1-0.
With The FA continuing to work with the Government to get fans back into stadiums as soon as is safe to do so, any ticketing arrangements will be communicated to supporters when relevant.
The Northern Ireland fixture will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer and Red Button.
