England will play New Zealand in Tampa Bay on June 6 and Costa Rica in Orlando on June 10 as part of their World Cup 2026 preparations
The Football Association has released the locations and timings for England’s two final pre-tournament friendly matches ahead of World Cup 2026. The Three Lions will face New Zealand at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay on Saturday, June 6, and meet costa rica at the Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Wednesday, June 10.
Both fixtures kick off at 4:00pm local time, which corresponds to 9:00pm British Summer Time, giving supporters in the UK a consistent evening window to watch the games live.
These friendlies are designed to provide match sharpness and tactical rehearsal before England begin their tournament campaign.
The Raymond James Stadium is best known as the home of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers and for hosting Super Bowl LV in 2026, while the Inter&Co Stadium accommodates both Orlando City (MLS) and Orlando Pride (NWSL). Both venues have staged major international fixtures in the past, including World Cup qualifiers, the SheBelieves Cup and the 2019 MLS All-Star Game, so they are familiar settings for high-profile friendlies.
Match details and venue context
The clash with New Zealand represents England’s third meeting with the All Whites; the previous encounters both took place in June 1991. Facing Costa Rica in Orlando continues another brief rivalry — the Two teams have met twice before, the most recent occasion being at Leeds United’s Elland Road ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. It’s worth noting that Costa Rica did not qualify for World Cup 2026, with Haiti securing the CONCACAF second group slot; nonetheless, the game offers a competitive workout against a nation that has World Cup experience.
Stadium notes
Both venues bring different atmospheres and logistical settings for preparation. The Raymond James Stadium provides a large-capacity, NFL-style bowl suited to high-tempo match practice, while the Inter&Co Stadium offers a football-specific pitch associated with MLS and NWSL fixtures. England’s staff will use these conditions to refine formations and assess squad options in match conditions that mirror elements they will meet at the tournament.
Schedule, tournament group and logistics
England’s competitive schedule at World Cup 2026 begins after the friendlies: the group campaign opens against Croatia on Wednesday, June 17 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The subsequent group matches are against Ghana at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, and Panama at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The FA has confirmed that the squad will base itself in south Florida for the early June friendlies before relocating to Kansas City, Missouri as their official tournament base. A practical footnote: MetLife Stadium will host the final on Sunday, July 19, so England will not have further use of that venue between their group fixture and the competition’s conclusion.
Timing and what it means for fans
Both friendlies will kick off at 4:00pm local time in Florida, which translates to 9:00pm British Summer Time for viewers in the UK. That consistent scheduling helps supporters plan travel and viewing arrangements. For those aiming to attend in person, the FA advises following official ticketing channels and registering with the England Supporters Travel Club to receive priority information about tickets and travel packages. Non-members should consider signing up to get the latest updates directly from the FA.
Practical advice for supporters
Fans making arrangements should factor in arrival times, stadium access and local transport in Tampa Bay and Orlando. With England moving their training camp to Kansas City after the Florida fixtures, supporters who intend to follow the team deeper into the tournament should time internal travel accordingly. The summer sequence—friendly on June 6, friendly on June 10, and the first World Cup match on June 17—creates a clear preparation block that will help coaching staff finalise the squad and tactical approach. By planning early and using official FA communications, supporters can maximise their chances of securing tickets and enjoying matchday experiences.
