England reveal opponents and dates for World Cup warm-up friendlies | OneFootball

Three Lions will warm up for tournament with two intriguing ties

England have confirmed plans to stage two World Cup warm-up friendlies this summer.

The Three Lions’ bid to end 60 years of hurt will kick off against Croatia on June 17, but Thomas Tuchel has booked a pair of pre-tournament shakeouts to kick his side into gear.

England will face fellow World Cup hopefuls New Zealand on June 6, before meeting Costa Rica on June 10.

Venues have not yet been confirmed, but a statement from England suggests both will be held in south Florida, where the Three Lions will stage a preparation camp.

They will then relocate to a training base in Kansas City, Missouri, for the duration of the tournament.

New Zealand were drawn into Group G for the World Cup, alongside Iran, Egypt and Belgium.

The All Whites have not faced England since 1991, when they were beaten twice in the space of a month by an aggregate score of 3-0.

Costa Rica, meanwhile, were England’s groupmates at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. They also faced the Three Lions in a pre-tournament friendly at Elland Road ahead of the 2018 edition.

Following these warm-up fixtures, England will face Croatia, Ghana and Panama in their group-stage fixtures.

Before then, the March international break will bring friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, both to be staged at Wembley Stadium.

Speaking in December, Tuchel reiterated his excitement at the prospect of managing in the World Cup for the first time.

"For me, I'm only experienced group football in Champions League formats and the way to approach it was to always give it the biggest respect and to put all the focus into winning the group.

“It always seems difficult like our group now but we are confident and we will be well prepared when we arrive.”