The historic rivalry between England and Wales will reignite this October as they face off in a friendly at Wembley Stadium. This match, scheduled for October 9th, serves as a critical preparatory game for both teams ahead of their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaigns.

Key Details:

• Date: October 9, 2023
• Venue: Wembley Stadium, London
• Purpose: Preparation for 2026 World Cup qualifiers

Team Preparations:

• England: Under the guidance of new manager Thomas Tuchel, the Three Lions will use this match as a tune-up for their upcoming qualifier against Latvia.
• Wales: Craig Bellamy’s Wales will look to gain momentum before their crucial home match against Belgium.

Historical Context:

The two nations have a rich history, having faced each other 104 times since their first encounter in 1879. Their most recent clash was during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where England secured a decisive 3-0 victory.

Recent Encounters:

• 2022 World Cup: England 3-0 Wales
• 2020 Friendly: England 3-0 Wales (played behind closed doors)

Notable Moments:

Wales’ lone victory at Wembley came in 1977, when a penalty by Leighton James secured a historic win on English soil.

Additional Fixtures:

Wales has also confirmed a friendly against Canada on September 9th at the Swansea.com Stadium, marking their first meeting since 2004.

This friendly will not only be a test of strategy and skill but also a celebration of the storied rivalry between these two proud football nations.