Matildas lock in pre-World Cup clash with England, Socceroos to play men’s team at Wembley

The Matildas have locked in another pre-World Cup hit-out against a top-flight opponent, set to face England in Brentford in April.

Football Australia announced the Matildas and Socceroos would both face England later this year, with the Matildas taking on the women’s European champions on April 11 at 7:45pm local time (5:45am on April 12 AEST).

After facing Spain, Czechia and Jamaica in the Cup of Nations this month, the showdown with the Lionesses is another clash with high-quality opposition for the Matildas in the lead-up to the Women’s World Cup on home soil, starting in July.

The Socceroos will play Gareth Southgate’s team in October, marking the first game against England for the Australian men’s side in almost seven-and-a-half years.

The game will be played on Saturday October 14 at 6:45am AEDT at Wembley, making Graham Arnold the first Socceroos boss to coach against England at the iconic venue.

It marks the Socceroos’ first match against England since a May 2016 game at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light, won 2-1 by the home side.

The Matildas’ last clash with the Lionesses was more recent, a 1-1 draw at Fulham’s Craven Cottage in October 2018.

England’s women’s side is ranked fourth in the world after winning the Euros last year, with Australia hopeful of locking in another European friendly in April.

“It’s a chance for us to continue to gather crucial information on our style, our play and what we will need to continue evolving ahead of July’s kick-off,” Gustavsson said.

Arnold, meanwhile, said he was relishing the prospect of coaching against England at Wembley prior to next January’s Asian Cup.

He was part of Frank Farina’s staff the only time Australia beat England, when they claimed a 3-1 friendly win at Upton Park in 2003.