The England women’s team is set to play their first match of the year in a friendly against Northern Ireland on 23 February.

Northern Ireland is welcomed by women in England

The first game in about a year

The match at St George’s Park is expected to be Hege Rice’s first game as interim manager since his appointment on Jan. 19.

Former Canadian defender Ryan Wilkinson will help the former Norwegian international in the first of two scheduled friends.

It was the Lions’ first game since their 1-0 defeat to Spain in the Shebeleeves Cup on March 11, 2020, which became the last game of Phil Neville in charge of the team.

The match will be televised live on UK television, the first meeting between the two countries since qualifying for the European Championship in 2008, with goals from Farah Williams and Fey White giving England a 2-0 lead. Success.

England’s preparations for the European Championship will begin next year

The match marks the beginning of England’s preparations for the postponed European Women’s Championship next year – as they automatically qualified to host the tournament.

Northern Ireland are still in contention for a place in next year’s final, having to overcome a two-legged playoff to qualify.

The Lions are currently ranked sixth in the FIFA Women’s Rankings and Northern Ireland 49th.

England will also face Canada

Meanwhile, England will host Canada in another friendly on April 23, with a kick-off time and place yet to be confirmed.

Serena Wigman will take over as England’s permanent head coach in September.

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