England Announces US Warm-Ups Against New Zealand and Costa Rica

Thomas Tuchel's England squad will play two crucial World Cup warm-up matches in the USA.

England's road to the 2026 World Cup will take them across the Atlantic for a pair of vital preparatory fixtures on American soil. The FA confirmed warm-up matches against New Zealand in Tampa and Costa Rica in Orlando.

These matches give manager Thomas Tuchel ample opportunity to assess his squad's depth. With the tournament approaching, every minute on the pitch is critical for selecting the optimal starting XI and integrating new tactical approaches.

The choice of opponents provides a diverse challenge. New Zealand brings a physical and organized approach, while Costa Rica offers a taste of CONCACAF opposition, known for their resilience and counter-attacking threats.

Teams featured in this article

• England

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