England to Face New Zealand and Costa Rica Before World Cup

England will play warm-up friendlies against New Zealand and Costa Rica in Florida this June, as Thomas Tuchel’s squad finalizes preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.

The Three Lions will be based in Kansas City, Missouri, with their training camp held at Swope Soccer Village, a modern facility used by Sporting Kansas City. England will travel to each match from their Missouri base throughout the tournament.

Pre-World Cup Fixtures:

• vs New Zealand – Saturday, 6 June, Florida (venue TBA)

• vs Costa Rica – Wednesday, 10 June, Florida (venue TBA)

These matches follow England’s final home games:

• vs Uruguay – Friday, 27 March, Wembley

• vs Japan – Tuesday, 31 March, Wembley

Group Stage Matches – USA

England won all eight of their World Cup qualifying matches

England will play all three group stage matches in the United States:

• 🆚 Croatia – 17 June, Dallas

• 🆚 Ghana – 23 June, Boston

• 🆚 Panama – 27 June, New Jersey

Tuchel’s squad will return to Kansas City between each group match.

Familiar and Fresh Foes

• England last faced New Zealand in 1991, winning both fixtures during a tour of Auckland and Wellington.

• Costa Rica, who failed to qualify for the 2026 tournament, held England to a 0-0 draw in the 2014 World Cup and later lost 2-0 in a 2018 pre-World Cup friendly.

Flawless Qualification

England secured World Cup qualification in November 2025 with an 8-win, 0-conceded campaign, continuing their strong form under Thomas Tuchel, who took charge after Euro 2024.