England to Face New Zealand, Costa Rica in Pre-World Cup Matches

The Three Lions will take on the Kiwis and Los Ticos in Florida ahead of the 2026 tournament.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 4:58pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a football match between England and New Zealand, with the players and field broken down into overlapping geometric shapes and planes in the national team colors.England's final tune-up matches against New Zealand and Costa Rica will provide crucial opportunities to refine tactics and evaluate the squad before the 2026 World Cup.Today in Tampa

The England national football team has announced a pair of preparatory matches against New Zealand and Costa Rica in Tampa, Florida ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The matches are part of the team's final tune-up before the global tournament kicks off.

Why it matters

These warm-up games will provide crucial opportunities for England manager Gareth Southgate to evaluate his squad and finalize his World Cup roster. Facing opponents with different styles of play will help the Three Lions identify strengths and weaknesses before the high-stakes competition begins.

The details

England will first take on New Zealand on June 1st, 2026 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. They will then square off against Costa Rica on June 8th at the same venue. Both matches will serve as the final preparation for Southgate's side before they depart for the World Cup, which begins on June 12th.

  • The England-New Zealand match is scheduled for June 1, 2026.
  • The England-Costa Rica match is scheduled for June 8, 2026.

The players

Gareth Southgate

The current manager of the England national football team.

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What they’re saying

“These matches against New Zealand and Costa Rica will be the perfect way to get the squad ready for the challenges we'll face at the World Cup.”

— Gareth Southgate, England Manager

What’s next

The England squad will be finalized and announced in the weeks leading up to the World Cup, with these warm-up matches providing the final evaluation opportunities for Southgate.

The takeaway

With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, England is taking a strategic approach to its pre-tournament preparations, scheduling matches against diverse opponents to thoroughly test its squad and tactics ahead of the global showdown.