England are to return to action after the summer with a 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier against Luxembourg in Stoke.
Sarina Wiegman’s team, preparing to start their UEFA EURO challenge next week, will conclude their bid to qualify for next summer’s finals in Australia and New Zealand at the home of Stoke City on Tuesday 6 September (kick-off 7.30pm BST). The fixture will come three days after their penultimate fixture away to Austria. Should England avoid defeat in that fixture, they will qualify for the World Cup with a game to spare.
England sit five points clear of nearest rivals Austria on top of qualification Group D with eight wins out of eight and an impressive 68 goals scored and none conceded. In the away fixture against Luxembourg last September, the Lionesses were 10-0 winners.
England played in Stoke as recently as April 2021 in the international against Canada but that was a behind-closed-doors fixture due to COVID, meaning fans in the area were deprived the chance to see the team play live at the venue for the first time. In fact, the previous December, the squad also played an internal game at Stoke City because of pandemic restrictions.
Head coach Sarina Wiegman said: “Of course we are all focused on the EURO right now but we know the World Cup is a major target for us as a squad. Once again, we will be playing in a great venue and I know the fans in Stoke will be delighted to finally get the chance to come out and see us play live. As it will be our first home match after the summer, I hope there will be extra reason for us to celebrate on the night.”
Tickets will go on sale to My England Football members – which is free and easy to sign-up – at midday today (Wednesday 29 June) and on general sale tomorrow (Thursday 30 June). Tickets are priced at £2.50 for under 16s, £5 for concessions (over 65s and students) and £15 for adults, discounts are also available for group bookings. To purchase tickets visit www.thefa.com/tickets.
