England Women to take on USA, Germany and France in inaugural tournament
England Women will head to USA to face best in the world
England Women will travel to America in March to participate in a new tournament against the world’s best teams.
The Lionesses will play USA, Germany and France – the top three FIFA ranked teams – in the inaugural SheBelieves Cup.
Head coach Mark Sampson told thefa.com: “We have been working hard now for a number of months to add more matches against top-tier nations so I am very pleased we are taking part in this tournament.
“The opportunity to compete against the three best teams in the world is a crucial step in providing more opportunities for the team to develop,” said Sampson.
“Women’s soccer in the USA is on a real high since their World Cup success and we are excited to feel that sense of enthusiasm for the game in some wonderful football stadiums,” said Sampson.
“We are thankful to the USA for their work in setting up the event which I am sure in years to come will grow into a stand-out tournament in the women’s football calendar.”
England, ranked fifth in the world, will face hosts and World Cup winners USA in their opening game on March 4, European champions Germany on March 6 and France on March 10.
Their involvement means Sampson’s side will not take part in the annual Cyprus Cup competition, of which they are the holders after winning the competition last year, which takes place at the same time.
The 23 players selected for the recent Germany and Bosnia double-header
