Thomas Tuchel issues verdict as England confirm games against Senegal and Wales | OneFootball

Three Lions will play at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground for first time since 1909

The Football Association have confirmed that England will face Senegal and Wales in friendly matches later this year.

England had two spare dates for matches during Thomas Tuchel’s first calendar year as manager. Those have now been filled, with home matches against Senegal and Wales to complement the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Nottingham Forest’s City Ground will host the match against Senegal on Tuesday June 10, while England will meet neighbours Wales at Wembley on Thursday October 9. Both matches will be broadcast live on ITV in the UK.

The Senegal match will mark the first time the City Ground has hosted a full England men’s international since 1909.

England’s first matches under new manager Tuchel are next month’s qualifiers against Albania and Latvia, both of which are at Wembley. Also in the Three Lions’ qualifying group are Serbia, as well as minnows Andorra.

Tuchel said: “The games against Senegal and Wales will present good challenges for us against two very different opponents. Facing a strong African team in a passionate city with rich football heritage and then a derby match at the iconic Wembley; two big occasions that can only help us on the road to the World Cup.

“While I know Wembley is our home, I also understand the importance of taking the team around the country when we are able to and the opportunity to experience playing at a famous old English stadium such as the City Ground is one we can all look forward to.”

The only previous meeting with the Senegalese came in the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, when Jordan Henderson, Bukayo Saka and Harry Kane were on the scoresheet in a 3-0 win.

Meanwhile, England have won 69 of their 104 meetings with Wales, stretching back to the very first match between the two nations back in January 1879.