ENGLAND WOMEN will play Austria in a World Cup qualifier at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light later this year.

The Lionesses will head to Wearside on Saturday, November 27 (ko 12.30pm) for their penultimate game of the year as part of the qualifying process ahead of the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

It will be the first time England Women have played at the Stadium of Light, with the fixture sure to have a special emotional significance for the likes of Steph Houghton, Jill Scott, Lucy Bronze, Demi Stokes, Carly Telford, Lucy Staniforth and Beth Mead, all of whom started their careers with Sunderland Ladies.

England head coach Sarina Wiegman said: “I am well aware how important the North-East of England has been in the development of so many of our squad, and in particular Sunderland.

“I am delighted we can play in such an impressive stadium and in front of fans who are so passionate about the game. I know it will be a very special day and I hope we can rise to the occasion.”

England began their World Cup qualifying campaign in impressive fashion earlier this month as they followed an 8-0 home win over North Macedonia with a 10-0 thrashing of Luxembourg.

Austria will offer a much tougher test having qualified for next summer’s European Championships, which will be staged in England.

After the Austria fixture, England will play another home game against Latvia on November 30 to close out the year.

Tickets for the game at the Stadium of Light will initially go on sale to My England Football members from 12pm today. Supporters can sign-up for free to become a My England Football member via www.englandfootball.com/members.

A general sale of remaining tickets will begin at midday on Friday, October 1, with tickets available from www.thefa.com/tickets.