England Women face World Cup winners USA in the spring
Tuesday 12 January 2016 18:21, UK
England Women will take on World Cup winners USA in the spring when they face FIFA's top three top ranked teams.
Mark Sampson's side will also play European champions Germany followed by France when they take part in the new SheBelieves Cup in their first matches of 2016.
The tournament opener against the hosts in Tampa on Thursday March 3, will be the first meeting between the sides since USA's narrow 1-0 win in Milton Keynes in February which sparked an unbeaten 24-game streak for the World Cup winners.
Next up will be Germany in Nashville on Sunday March 6, in a rematch of the World Cup third-place play-off which England won thanks to a penalty from Fara Williams in extra-time.
Sampson's side will then return to Florida for their final game against France on Wednesday 9 March in Boca Raton.
Head coach Sampson said: "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.
"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.
"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 will continue their UEFA Women's Euro 2017 qualifying campaign in April when they play Belgium followed by a trip to Bosnia & Herzegovina.
