The China Cup
China, England, Germany and USA
26-30 January 2007
Guangdong Olympic Sports Center, Guangzhou City
For England's Fixture Information - Click Here

Hope Powell is looking forward to taking on the very best teams in the world as England begin their preparation for the World Cup in earnest next month. The Three Lions will also have the chance to acclimitise to the conditions they will face next September when they compete in the China Cup.

The friendly Four Nations Tournament will take place during the last week of January and pit England against three of the strongest teams in world football, and Hope sees it as an ideal preparation for the World Cup.

Hope told TheFA.com: "It's a tournament that we have been trying to enter for a few years and I think that this time it has something to do with us qualifying for the World Cup.

"Competing against China, USA and Germany will be vitally important as will the great opportunity we now have to experience China itself."

Hope also feels strongly that it is further evidence that the Three Lions are always eager to take on the very best teams world football.

"I think that we have always tried to play the best possible opposition to learn from the experience," Hope said.

"It gave the girls a real taste of the next level of what is expected of them and what is needed from them to reach that level before September.

"To play three of the leading nations in January is a great opportunity to expose the players to playing against the best teams in the world and in the culture and environment that the World Cup will encompass."