Sophie Lawson discusses the Lionesses’ autumn schedule, including a return to England for new USWNT head coach Emma Hayes. (1:36)
The Lionesses will host the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) in a blockbuster friendly at Wembley Stadium on Nov. 30 after facing Germany on Oct. 25 in preparation to defend their 2022 Euros title.
It will be the first time Emma Hayes will face the reigning European Champions as head coach. It will be a clash of two of the best coaches in Women’s Football after Sarina Wiegman pipped Hayes to the 2023 FIFA Best Women’s Coach award.
The two teams last met in a friendly in October 2022 at Wembley when England narrowly defeated the visitors 2-1.
“To play at Wembley again, especially against the quality of Germany and the United States, is really exciting,” Wiegman said in a statement.
“Our fans always show-up and bring the noise when we play there, which really helps the team and no doubt both games will create memorable atmospheres,
“Our preparations for the Euros start now. Securing our place at the tournament next summer, without the need to participate in the Play-Offs, gives us the maximum time to prepare for the challenge that awaits us in Switzerland.”
England narrowly booked their place in the 2025 Euros after coming second in Group A3 of the qualifying rounds. The Lionesses have never begun a tournament as the defending champions before, adding high stakes to the tournament next summer.
In preparation, England will face Germany on Oct. 25. England defeated Germany 2-1 in the final of the 2022 Euros to lift their first piece of major silverware.
Wiegman’s side will also face South Africa at the Coventry Building Society Arena, on Oct. 29 to test themselves against fresh opponents. It is over a decade since the two sides last met, with England securing a 1-0 win in February 2010 in the Cyprus Cup tournament.
To round out their fall of friendlies, England face Euro 2025 hosts Switzerland on Dec. 3. The Lionesses secured a 4-0 victory in their last meeting that came just before the 2022 Euros commenced.
“With the current UEFA Women’s Nations League format the opportunities to play friendlies are limited,” Wiegman said.
“Therefore I’m really pleased that we’ve been able to carefully select our opponents and give ourselves four very different and difficult challenges to aid our preparation. Each nation has a different style of play, a variety of strengths and that will test us in different ways.”
Both Germany and the USWNT are currently taking part in the Paris 2024 Olympics. The pair met in the second game of Group B, where the USWNT defeated Germany 4-1.