03.03.2010
England confirm Mexico and Japan World Cup warm-ups
Steven Gerrard of England (left) heads the ball past Captain Darijo Srna and Goalkeeper Danijel Dubasic(R) of Croatia to score during their Group Six FIFA World Cup 2010 qualifier at Wembley, 2009.
England will play friendly internationals against Mexico and Japan as they round off their World Cup preparations ahead of this year's finals in South Africa, the Football Association said Wednesday.
The precise date for the Mexico match at Wembley has still to be confirmed, although FA chiefs hope it will be on Sunday, May 23, rather than a day later as currently specified by world football governing body FIFA.
Fellow World Cup qualifiers Japan will be England's final opponents before they head to South Africa in a friendly in Graz, Austria, on, Sunday May 30.
In between the two matches, England will spend most of their time at a training camp in Irdning, Austria.
England manager Fabio Capello is set to name a provisional 28-man squad on May 16, the day after the FA Cup final, minus players involved in the Wembley showpiece or the Champions League final in Madrid on May 22.
The squad will head back to London prior to the Mexico match, before returning to Irdning for more altitude training prior to the Japan fixture.
Players will then be given two days to spend with their families before Italian manager Capello confirms his 23 man World Cup squad on June 1, the day before the side are due to fly to South Africa.
England have won the World Cup just once, on home soil, when they defeated the then West Germany 4-2 after extra-time in a Wembley final.
But hopes are growing that Capello's men could emulate that feat, based on a qualifying campaign where England won nine out of 10 matches with their only defeat coming in Ukraine after goalkeeper Robert Green had been sent off.
When they arrive in South Africa, England will find themselves in what is widely regarded as a favourable pool group featuring the United States, Algeria and Slovenia.
England also know that they cannot face tournament favourites Brazil and Spain until the semi-final stage at the earliest.
However, injuries to Ashley Cole and Rio Ferdinand, doubts about the goalkeeping position and the fall-out from John Terry's alleged affair with the ex-girlfriend of former team-mate Wayne Bridge that led to the defender being stripped of the captaincy by Capello, have cast a shadow over England's plans.
England face African Nations Cup champions Egypt in a friendly at Wembley on Wednesday.
Key Dates in England's build-up to 2010 World Cup
May 09: Final day of the Premier League
May 15: FA Cup Final
May 16: Austria squad announcement
May 17: Players meet and travel to Austria
May 22: Champions League Final
Date TBC: England v Mexico, Wembley
Date TBC: Squad travel back to Austrian training camp
May 30: England v Japan, Graz. Squad returns to England after match
Jun 01: England World Cup squad announcement
Jun 02: England squad meet in London and fly to South Africa
Jun 03: England team arrive in South Africa
Source: © 2010 AFP - Carl de Souza
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