Graham Arnold will become the first Australia boss to coach against England at Wembley Stadium as Football Australia confirmed friendly fixtures later this year for both the Socceroos and Matildas.
Arnold’s Socceroos will face Gareth Southgate’s England at Wembley on Saturday, October 14 (6.45am AEDT), with Tony Gustavsson’s Matildas set to take on the Lionesses at Brentford on Wednesday, April 12 (6.45am AEDT).
The game with England will be one of the last opportunities for Gustavsson to see his side up against top opposition before Australia co-host the Women’s World Cup with New Zealand later this year.
England won the Euros last year and are ranked fourth in the world, 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 in a statement.
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.
“As an Australian footballer and coach, playing England at Wembley is something all footballers dream of,” Arnold said in a statement.
“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 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 Asian Cup.”
Australia are expected to book themselves another overseas international in the October window.
Plans are also afoot for homecoming fixtures next month following their best-ever World Cup showing.
Reports in South America last week linked the Socceroos with two games against Ecuador.
criag
Roar Rookie
Teams that underestimate the Socceroos do so at their peril: just ask England, Germany, Argentina, Netherlands, Denmark, Brazil and Uruguay!
Para+Ten ISUZU Subway support Australian Football
Roar Rookie
"And I’ve had more punani than you ever will." Lol, No doubt; like Donald Trump! I am sure justice awaits you in court.
Para+Ten ISUZU Subway support Australian Football
Roar Rookie
Josh, all that wasted money ($Bs) on a kick-and-giggle sport that the world has rejected, no international presence at all, zip, zero, nada. In the meantime, the Australian Men's and Women's World Cup teams are creating history and are competing on the biggest and toughest stage of all, on the smell of an oily rag...
josh
Guest
It really is when you have NOTHING to show for it. I think there's a comedy club down near Annandale that doesn't see as many laughs as AFL in Western Sydney does.
Grem
Roar Rookie
I’m not a doctor but, if I have a chip in my shoulder wouldn’t I use an ice pack or sling?
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Mate all the goals they've scored in the cup of nations have quality about them. we need the lads to shoot like that more often
chris
Guest
Looks like we're going to get our own Wembley in Tassie. The AFL up to their dirty tricks of wedging the govt for more money. This parasite of an organisation squeezing more money out of taxpayers. And for what? A nothing game played in a handful of cities.
Marcel
Guest
An awning, by definition, cantilevers off the side of a building. It is explicitly external to the building envelope and below the main gutter line. I'm an Architect, your'e not going to win this one
Para+Ten ISUZU Subway support Australian Football
Roar Rookie
$7B for the redevelopment of the Gabba precinct that will benefit mostly the AFL. footnote: the new Gabba will only have 8k more seating. REALY!!!!
Para+Ten ISUZU Subway support Australian Football
Roar Rookie
"The First Air-conditioned Stadium In Nigeria Is In Ebonyi (Photos) - Sports - Nairaland" Wow, we are being left behind GP.
Para+Ten ISUZU Subway support Australian Football
Roar Rookie
Donald Trump of Sport.
Para+Ten ISUZU Subway support Australian Football
Roar Rookie
Yes, that is what they are. :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Para+Ten ISUZU Subway support Australian Football
Roar Rookie
"Wembley has a movable partially retractable roof" Posted up by Gary. Yes, it is a roof you ignoramus, it's to protect the supporters from direct hot sunlight into their faces. I understand you may not see it that way, as you are as thick as a brick, Still a roof. Also, the Forsyth Barr stadium is encased in glass to keep out sub-zero temperatures---it acts like a glasshouse---look at the pictures on google search. Are you blind too? $7B for the redevelopment of the Gabba precinct that will benefit the AFL. And now Gillon McLachlan wants the State & Fed governments to throw in $750m for a stadium in Tassie. WOW, the greed never stops.
Grem
Roar Rookie
I appreciate the feedback, but I think my dark humour pales next to yours.
Jichael Mackson
Guest
Not really. But I did like how you described a joke about African soldiers, drug abuse, and racism as "dark humour". Now that's a clever play on words.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Do previous posts on previous days by trolls in the football site count?
Grem
Roar Rookie
Did the Armed Forces of Liberia joke improve with repetition that time?
Grem
Roar Rookie
Grand Pandemonium, GP is back. He can’t keep away from the football site. I noticed people on the cricket site were annoyed with him too. Perhaps he should rename himself Dunning Kruger and visit other sites as well.
Jichael Mackson
Guest
Punter was right, now we are having fun! Got anything darker? We all have a lot of coping to do.
Garry
Roar Rookie
by definition you’d be wrong.what a surprise “noun 1. the structure forming the upper covering of a building or vehicle. “the rain woke him, hammering on the roof” back to school you go