England To Face New-Look Netherlands and Italy

Last updated : 14 November 2017 By Three Lions

Two nations with heavyweight football pedigree, but who will not be in Russia, will take on Gareth Southgate's side.

England travel to Amsterdam for a friendly against the Netherlands on Friday 23 March before a Wembley date against Italy on Tuesday 27 March.

Both nations will surely be fielding unfamiliar line-ups after their failure to reach the 2018 finals.

That has sparked a host of big-names, such as Arjen Robben and Gianluigi Buffon, to announce their retirements from international football and much soul-searching as to the reasons why such prestigious footballing nations have been unable to make it to Russia.

And both countries are set to be under new management with Dick Advocaat stepping down as Holland boss after this week's friendlies and Gian Pietro Ventura's position as the Azzuri coach looking untenable.

Names familiar to the English game such as Ronald Koeman and Carlo Ancelotti are among the contenders to take over their respective nations.

Tickets for the Italy fixture start from £20 Adults and £10 for Children, details on the official FA website.