England to Play World Cup Warm-Up Matches in Florida

The national team will face New Zealand and Costa Rica ahead of the tournament.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 3:47pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist-style painting depicting a soccer match between two teams, with the players and field broken down into overlapping geometric shapes in navy, red, and green colors, conveying the dynamic energy of the sport.England's national team prepares for the World Cup with a series of strategic warm-up matches against international opponents in Florida.Today in Tampa

The England national soccer team will play two World Cup warm-up matches in Florida in June 2026. Manager Thomas Tuchel's squad will take on New Zealand at Tampa's Raymond James Stadium on June 6 and then face Costa Rica at the Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on June 10, giving the team crucial preparation time before the start of the World Cup.

Why it matters

These warm-up matches in the United States will allow England to fine-tune their tactics and test their squad depth against international opponents before the high-stakes World Cup tournament. Florida's warm climate and state-of-the-art stadiums provide an ideal setting for the team to get acclimatized and work on their game plan.

The details

England's first warm-up match will be against New Zealand at Tampa's Raymond James Stadium on June 6. They will then travel to Orlando to take on Costa Rica at the Inter&Co Stadium on June 10. These matches will give Tuchel a chance to evaluate his full roster and experiment with different lineup combinations before finalizing his World Cup squad.

  • The England national team will play New Zealand on June 6, 2026 in Tampa, Florida.
  • England will face Costa Rica on June 10, 2026 in Orlando, Florida.

The players

England National Team

The men's national soccer team that represents England in international competition, managed by Thomas Tuchel.

New Zealand National Team

The men's national soccer team that represents New Zealand, one of England's opponents in the Florida warm-up matches.

Costa Rica National Team

The men's national soccer team that represents Costa Rica, the other opponent for England in the Florida warm-up matches.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“These warm-up matches in the United States will be crucial for us to get the team ready and firing on all cylinders before the World Cup.”

— Thomas Tuchel, England National Team Manager

What’s next

The England squad will travel to Florida in early June to begin training and preparations for the two warm-up matches.

The takeaway

England's decision to hold their World Cup warm-up games in Florida demonstrates the growing importance of the United States as a hub for international soccer competitions. The warm climate and high-quality stadiums make it an attractive destination for teams looking to fine-tune their squads ahead of major tournaments.