The Football Association have announced that England will play showpiece friendlies both home and away against Brazil next year.
Anniversary celebrations will kick-off with Brazil game at Wembley
The Football Association have announced showpiece friendlies both home and away against Brazil next year.
The matches against the five-time World Cup winners will form part of the FA's 150th anniversary celebrations in 2013.
Brazil will visit Wembley on 6 February before hosting Roy Hodgson's side in Rio as part of a two-game tour in early June, with the second opponents to be confirmed.
Republic of Ireland will also play their first game at the rebuilt Wembley on 29 May as England take advantage of the fact that they have no World Cup qualifiers at the end of the season.
Club England Managing Director Adrian Bevington revealed on the FA's
official website: "We're delighted Brazil will kick-off the FA's 150th anniversary celebrations at Wembley.
"2013 is a landmark year for The FA and an exciting England fixture programme, in addition to Wembley hosting the UEFA Champions League Final, will form a key part of the celebrations.
Fantastic
"As the most successful footballing nation, with great players and supporters, it will be fantastic to launch this important year in English football's history against such outstanding opponents as Brazil.
"We also look forward to hosting Republic of Ireland and Scotland at Wembley next year. These matches are sure to evoke great passion among supporters.
"We have been planning the fixtures in Brazil for over a year, as a key part of our preparation for 2014 - subject to qualification.
"Our players do not have any experience of playing in South America and it will undoubtedly be beneficial for the team to travel and play in Brazil, a year ahead of the World Cup. We negotiated our qualifying schedule with a specific view to allowing this.
"While in Brazil, The FA and England squad will play an active role in developing and supporting a charity programme both in advance of and during the summer of 2013 and 2014."
