World Cup 2026: England announce pre-tournament friendlies vs New Zealand and Costa Rica as Kansas City training base confirmed

England have announced pre-World Cup friendlies against New Zealand and Costa Rica in south Florida before the start of the tournament - and will be based in Kansas City, Missouri throughout their campaign.

Thomas Tuchel's Three Lions will be among the favourites for the World Cup in their bid for a first trophy since 1966 - and their preparations for the tournament have now been announced.

As part of a preparation camp in south Florida, England will face New Zealand on Saturday, June 6, then will play Costa Rica on Wednesday, June 10, which is the day before the opening match of the tournament.

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England will then start their group stage campaign on Wednesday, June 17 against Croatia, before facing Ghana and Panama in their other group matches later in June.

It means the Three Lions' final games on home soil will be during next month's March international break, where they will face Uruguay on March 27 and Japan on March 31, both games taking place at Wembley.

England's training base in Kansas City for World Cup

The Football Association have also announced that England will be based in Kansas City, Missouri for the duration of the tournament.

Tuchel's side will be based at Swope Soccer Village, which is one of Sporting Kansas City's training facilities. It also hosts the MLS NEXT Pro and MLS NEXT sides.

Last year, the FA identified Swope Soccer Village as the preferred destination for England's training base after an extensive search.

Kansas is a two-hour flight from Dallas, where England's opening group stage game against Croatia will be taking place.

It is also a three-hour flight to both Boston and New Jersey, where England's other two group games are taking place.

England's 2026 fixtures

UK kick-off times

March 27: Uruguay, friendly, Wembley Stadium, kick-off 7.45pm

March 31: Japan, friendly, Wembley Stadium, kick-off 7.45pm

June 6: New Zealand, friendly, south Florida, kick-off and venue TBC

June 10: Costa Rica, friendly, south Florida, kick-off and venue TBC

June 17: Croatia, World Cup group stage, Dallas, kick-off 9pm

June 23: Ghana, World Cup group stage, Boston, kick-off 9pm

June 27: Panama, World Cup group stage, New Jersey, kick-off 10pm

If England are group winners...

Round of 32: July 1, Atlanta

Round of 16: July 5, Mexico City

Quarter-finals: July 11, Miami

Semi-finals: July 15, Atlanta

Final: July 19, East Rutherford

If England are group runners-up…

Round of 32: July 2,Toronto

Round of 16: July 6, Dallas

Quarter-finals: July 10, Los Angeles

Semi-finals: July 14, Dallas

Final: July 19, East Rutherford

If England finish third in their group...

This could also take England all the way. But because of the complicated way the third-placed qualification works, there are too many potential routes - which won't be finalised until the end of the group stages - to take into account at this point.

(c) Sky Sports 2026: World Cup 2026: England announce pre-tournament friendlies vs New Zealand and Costa Rica as Kansas City training base confirmed