England: Key Dates 2018

Last updated : 01 September 2018 By Three Lions

What lies ahead for Gareth Southgate and his squad this Autumn.

September 8: England return to action and play their first ever UEFA Nations League fixture against Spain at Wembley.

Shocked by the hosts in the World Cup but imperious in qualifying and with a raft of world-class players still at their disposal, Spain have appointed ex-Barcelona boss Luis Enrique as their new manager to replace Julen Lopetegui after his shock sacking on the eve of Russia 2018.

September 11: Leicester's King Power Stadium hosts the friendly international against Switzerland with an opportunity for supporters from elsewhere in the country to experience what should be a keenly contested fixture against a well-organised Swiss side who missed out on the chance to face England in the World Cup quarter-finals after a disappointing defeat to Sweden.

October 12: A World Cup semi-final rematch sees England travel to Croatia in the UEFA Nations League, the first of two tough away games in this particular international break.

October 15: Spain are the hosts for England's first visit since being brushed aside in a 2-0 friendly defeat in Alicante in November 2015, Eric Dier winning his first international cap.

November 15: American football is back at Wembley but the hallowed turf shouldn't suffer too much from the friendly match between England and the USA.

November 18: England's final UEFA Nations League clash for the moment (if they win their particular League A group the finals will be in June 2019) is at home to Croatia.

December 2: Dublin hosts the qualifying draw for Euro 2020 when the 55 European nations will be divided into ten groups of either five or six teams, the top two in each group going through automatically to the finals.