Lionesses’ SheBelieves Cup Fixtures Announced

Steph Houghton (Photo: Charlotte Wilson for FA)

England will face France, Germany and hosts the USA in Columbus, Ohio next March, for the 2018 SheBelieves Cup, reports TheFA.com.

The Lionesses first play France at the MAPFRE Stadium on Thursday 1 March (9pm GMT KO).

They will then face Germany at the Red Bull Arena in New Jersey on Sunday 4 March (8pm GMT KO), before playing the hosts and World Cup holders USA at Orlando City Stadium, Florida on Wednesday 7 March (12am GMT KO, Thursday 8 March).

The annual tournament was established in 2016 with the same countries, who make up four of the top six FIFA-ranked teams, participating since its inception.

England captain Steph Houghton said: “The SheBelieves Cup is a massive tournament for us and as players we really look forward to the challenge of such big games.

“It’s important that we get the chance to test ourselves against the best teams in the world in a tournament environment, which is so different to anything else.

“Everything we are doing now is focused towards qualifying for the 2019 World Cup and giving ourselves the chance to do as well as we possibly can there.”

Last year’s tournament was closely contested with the Lionesses losing narrowly to Germany (1-0) and France (2-1) – but beating USA 1-0, thanks to an Ellen White goal, for their first away victory against the Stars and Stripes.

England’s next home game is their 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier against Wales at Southampton’s St. Mary’s Stadium on Friday 6 April (7pm KO).

Tickets are on sale now, with an early bird offer for adult tickets purchased up to 31 January 2018 (standard price £10). Children and concessions tickets are just £1 and group booking and Charter Standard discounts apply.

Tickets can be purchased at TheFA.com/Tickets or by calling 02381 780 780.

Upcoming Events

Would you like to read more women’s football news just like this? Sign up to receive the She Kicks Women’s Football newsletter