LONDON: England will play their first senior fixture against the Ivory Coast in a friendly this March.

Manager Gareth Southgate’s side are preparing for the UEFA Nations League qualifying ties as well as the World Cup finals in Qatar in November and December.

Wembley will be the venue when England face Switzerland on March 26 and then the former African champions on March 29.

England have never played the Ivorians at senior level and the friendly marks the first time they have faced non-European opposition since November 2018.

The Football Association describes the match as “an important test for the Three Lions on the road to this year’s 2022 FIFA World Cup”.

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