TheFA.com

England to face Brazil and Ireland

  • Wednesday, 12 September, 2012
  • Neymar
  • Robbie Keane

The FA confirm Wembley fixtures with Brazil and Republic of Ireland.

Five-times FIFA World Cup winners Brazil will kick-off The Football Association’s 150th anniversary year when they visit Wembley Stadium on Wednesday 6 February 2013.

The Brazilian Federation will return the invitation by welcoming Roy Hodgson’s squad to Rio as part of a two-game tour in early June 2013. England's second opponents in South America will be confirmed soon.

Republic of Ireland will play their first game at Wembley since the stadium was rebuilt on Wednesday 29 May.

Due to The FA's fixture arrangements, England do not play any World Cup Qualifiers at the end of the season.

The squad will return to England before Tuesday 11 June, when many nations will still be involved in qualifying action.

Club England Managing Director Adrian Bevington said: “We're delighted Brazil will kick-off The FA's 150th anniversary celebrations at Wembley.

"2013 is a landmark year for The FA and an exciting England fixture programme, in addition to Wembley hosting the UEFA Champions League Final, will form a key part of the celebrations.

"As the most successful footballing nation, with great players and supporters, it will be fantastic to launch this important year in English football's history against such outstanding opponents as Brazil.

"We also look forward to hosting Republic of Ireland and Scotland at Wembley next year. These matches are sure to evoke great passion among supporters.

"We have been planning the fixtures in Brazil for over a year, as a key part of our preparation for 2014 - subject to qualification.

"Our players do not have any experience of playing in South America and it will undoubtedly be beneficial for the team to travel and play in Brazil, a year ahead of the World Cup. We negotiated our qualifying schedule with a specific view to allowing this.

"While in Brazil, The FA and England squad will play an active role in developing and supporting a charity programme both in advance of and during the summer of 2013 and 2014."

Pitch International, whom the CBF have recently appointed as their global commercial agency, will be helping The FA in organising the Brazilian fixtures.

What Do You Think?

  • Thoughless FA we cannot run trips midweek, because our children do have to attend school, even the parents work, Monday to Friday usually 9am to 5pm. Midweek matches are a big NO.NO. Saturday is football day always has been and always will be. Get it sorted.By anonymous (5 months ago)
  • There's nothing "outstanding" in current Brazil squad. It's the worst we had since 1974. Though we were underdogs in 2002-WC and ended winning it, we then had the Triple-R : Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho; plus Roberto Carlos, Cafu, so that meant FIVE world-class players. Now we barely have NO ONE, while Spain is dazzling the world. Sad :(By Francisco (8 months ago)
  • Two more friendlies... And two more midweek games... Come on FA, England DO have supporters who live north of Watford you know? If the World Cup Qualifiers being moved to Tuesday and Friday evenings weren't bad enough, we now get two mouth watering friendlies on weekday evenings. What's wrong with a Saturday game, young England fans from around the country would get more chance to see and support the lads if it was on a weekend.By Macman (8 months ago)