Netherlands to face England in football friendly in March

England will face the Netherlands in a Euro 2016 warm-up at Wembley next year, the English Football Association announced on Friday.

Manager Chris Coleman had wanted to play strong opposition after qualifying for next summer’s European Championship in France and revealed earlier this month that Italy were among the countries to turn down the offer of a friendly against Wales.

The Three Lions will travel to Spain on November 13, before taking on the tournament hosts at Wembley four days later.

The FA had already announced friendlies against Spain, France and Germany, and it has now been confirmed that Netherlands will play England at Wembley on March 29.

Nevertheless, Danny Blind’s team will still provide a tough test next March with tickets for the fixture going on sale to England Supporters Club members from Wednesday 4 November through to Wednesday 11 November.

England, who booked their place in the finals with a 100% record, have faced the Dutch team 20 times overall, recording five victories, nine draws and five defeats.

The teams last met in June 2014 at the Amsterdam Arena with the Netherlands winning 2-0, in what was their final preparation match before the World Cup in Brazil, where they finished third.