Southgate plots Ell of a farewell
ENGLAND’S final World Cup warm-up game will be against Costa Rica at Elland Road.
Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate chose the Central American side to help prepare for their World Cup group match with Panama in Russia.
England will play Costa Rica at Leeds United’s stadium on Thursday, June 7, in their farewell game before setting off for the tournament.
They will also face Nigeria at Wembley a week earlier. Southgate has decided to have only two warm-up friendlies while England will base themselves at St George’s Park before flying out.
The FA has been anxious to take England “around the country” for the feelgood factor of playing at other stadiums.
Leeds holds only 37,890, way below Wembley, but the FA is keen to buy into the fervour of northern fans.
England also have Wembley friendlies with Holland and Italy on March 23 and 27 respectively.
They kick off their World Cup campaign against Tunisia on June 18 then play Panama and Belgium in the group stage.