The Matildas are set for their biggest test yet before the Women’s World Cup with a clash against England in April, while the Socceroos will make their long-awaited Wembley Stadium debut this year.
Two blockbuster friendlies pitting Australia’s men and women against England have been officially locked in, providing rare opportunities for the sporting rivalry between the nations to be played out via the beautiful game, and underscoring what Football Australia says is a sign of the increasing “drawing power” of both senior national teams.
England and Australia stars Fran Kirby, Sam Kerr, Harry Kane and Harry Souttar.Credit:Getty Images
Tony Gustavsson’s Matildas will meet the Lionesses at Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium on April 11, one of two games they will play in Europe during the penultimate international window before the start of the Women’s World Cup in July.
It looms as good preparation in more ways than one, given Australia could face the reigning European champions in the round of 16 at the World Cup if they fail to top Group B.
England are No.4 in FIFA’s women’s rankings and beat Germany 2-1 in extra time in the final of last year’s Euros, which they hosted.
“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.
England celebrate after beating Germany at Wembley Stadium in the Women’s Euro 2022 final.Credit:Getty Images
Matildas skipper Sam Kerr will not have to travel far for the team’s showdown with the Lionesses, since Brentford is only a 30-minute drive from her club Chelsea’s base. England’s team includes her clubmate Fran Kirby and an array of stars from the FA Women’s Super League.
Meanwhile, Graham Arnold’s Socceroos face the Three Lions on October 13 at Wembley – almost three years since the date they were originally pencilled in to play there before the fixture was scrapped due to COVID-19.
It gives Arnold’s men another chance to prove their credentials at the highest level after their terrific run to the World Cup round of 16 in Qatar, where Gareth Southgate’s England were knocked out in the quarter-finals by France.
No Australian national team has played on Wembley’s hallowed turf. The famous win over England in 2003 was played at Upton Park, the former home of West Ham United. Their most recent meeting in 2016 was at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland.
No Australian team has played at Wembley before.Credit:AP
The fixtures are part of a concerted effort by Football Australia to expose the Socceroos to as many top-ranked teams as possible over the next World Cup cycle – just as the Matildas have done during Gustavsson’s tenure, with the benefits now beginning to show.
“Over the last two years, Football Australia has been dedicated to creating the right environment for national team success,” FA chief executive James Johnson said.
“This means replicating tournament football by playing higher-ranked opponents on a more regular basis to ensure the best preparation and our teams are peaking come tournament time.
“Australian football is slowly re-establishing itself in English and European football again which is pleasing to see. The fact we have been able to secure this double fixture against England at a time when they are two of the best teams in world football is a sign of the drawing power of our national teams.”
Arnold was an assistant coach to then-Socceroos boss Frank Farina in the team’s 2003 win over England, which is their only victory from seven meetings at senior international level.
“That night brings back some amazing memories for Australian football and football fans,” Arnold said.
“While we had a very talented Australian team, we were taking on an England outfit stacked with superstars, and the result really made the players believe that they could take on anyone and qualify for the FIFA World Cup in 2006. It is a memory the boys will never forget.
“As an Australian footballer and coach, playing England at Wembley is something all footballers dream of. Not just because of the occasion, but for the opportunity it presents to test ourselves against one of the world’s most revered footballing nations.
“We showed at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar that we can match it with the best and by playing the best on a more regular basis, it will only strengthen our preparation for the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers and the AFC Asian Cup to be hosted by Qatar in early 2024.”
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