ENGLAND Women will play at the new Wembley Stadium for the very first time in a friendly against European champions Germany.

Mark Sampson’s side booked their place at next summer’s World Cup in Canada after beating Wales 4-0 in their penultimate qualifier on Thursday night.

The Three Lionnesses will begin their preparations for next year’s tournament by taking on Germany, who are ranked second in the world, in a warm-up game on November 23.

The national women’s team have not played at the new Wembley since it opened in 2007, but some of Sampson’s squad were part of the Team GB side that beat Brazil at the London 2012 Olympics.

South Hetton’s Steph Houghton’s scored the winner in that game

“Playing for your country at Wembley is what you dream of as a child and it’s so exciting to know that we’re going to be stepping out onto the pitch at Wembley again and this time in an England shirt,” said Houghton, who was named captain by Sampson earlier this year.

“Bringing a women’s match to Wembley is such a huge platform for us as footballers and for the game in general. Our Team GB match here at London 2012 really helped to promote women’s football and hopefully this game will do the same.

“Speaking with the girls, we can’t wait to play at Wembley and in a really competitive match against Germany, who are an excellent side. Hopefully we’ll have a big crowd and a great atmosphere.”

Tickets details for the match, which is subject to Germany’s qualification for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, will follow. For more information please visit www.thefa.com/womens.