The English FA have announced that they will play against three teams from South America as part of the preparations for the World Cup 2014.
England originally had just one match against Denmark prior to the World Cup, but the England FA have decided to add matches against Peru, Ecuador, and Honduras in order to give the team experience of playing against a South American team and also in the tough conditions expected in Brazil. South American teams are at an advantage when it comes to playing in the hot and humid conditions.
Matches against Ecuador and Honduras are expected to solve this issue ahead of the opening match with Italy. England have been given a tough group at the competition, as they will be playing alongside Italy, Uruguay, and Costa Rica in the group matches. Apart from the match against Peru, England will be playing in almost similar conditions in Miami. Sunlife Stadium, which is the home of the Miami Dolphins NFL team, will host the matches against Ecuador and Honduras. England are also scheduled a pre-season camp in Miami.
Manager Roy Hodgson expressed his delight at being able to prepare his players with a taste of South American football. England go into the tournament as rank outsiders to win the competition after having failed to win a major trophy since the 1966 World Cup.
“I’m delighted with the games we have been able to secure and the programme running up to the World Cup in general. I was clear to those responsible at the FA that I was looking for Central and South American opposition ahead of the tournament and that is exactly what has been delivered,” said Roy Hodgson.
England already have had to contend with a number of injury problems with star names like Theo Walcott set to miss the competition.