February 7 – England are set to return to St James Park for the first time in 19 years as they prepare for the European Championships.
The venue was announced as part of England’s growing pre-Euros friendlies roster, which now includes Bosnia & Herzegovina and Iceland in the summer to add to difficult matches against Brazil and Belgium in March.
The Three Lions will face Bosnia & Herzegovina on the June 3 at St. James’ Park. Subsequently, Wembley Stadium will host a send-off match against Iceland on Friday June 7 ahead of England’s Euro 2024 opener versus Serbia on June 16.
England boss Gareth Southgate said: “We’re really looking forward to taking the team back to the North East and to a city that is synonymous with football in this country.
“We will follow that with another special occasion at Wembley allowing our fans the opportunity to give us a final send off before we head to Germany for another exciting summer. Both opponents in June are sure to provide stiff competition and play an important part in our preparation for the tournament.”
The last time St. James’ Park hosted an international match was in September 2023 when Saudi Arabia took on Costa Rica and South Korea in two friendly fixtures thanks to the club’s close ties with its Saudi Arabian ownership.
The English national team haven’t graced St James’ since 2005.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1713963815labto1713963815ofdlr1713963815owedi1713963815sni@g1713963815niwe.1713963815yrrah1713963815