England Launches Ambitious 2026 Calendar Across Youth, Women’s and Para Football
Table of Contents
- 1. England Launches Ambitious 2026 Calendar Across Youth, Women’s and Para Football
- 2. Breakdown of the 2026 Campaigns
- 3. Key Facts at a Glance
- 4. Evergreen Insights for Fans
- 5. Engage With Us
- 6. Croatia (Zagreb) – UEFA Euro 2027 Qualifier
- 7. Senior Men’s National Team – 2026 Fixture Overview
- 8. England Women’s Senior Team – 2026 Calendar
- 9. Youth Pathways – 2026 Fixture Calendar
- 10. England Para Football – 2026 Campaign Overview
- 11. Practical Tips for fans: How to Follow England Football Across All Levels in 2026
- 12. Benefits of Following the Full 2026 Calendar
- 13. Real‑World Example: England’s Nations League Home Leg vs. Italy (3 June 2026)
England unveiled a comprehensive 2026 calendar spanning its youth ranks for both men and women, plus the para program. The plan lays out key qualifiers, fixtures and tournaments across under‑17s to under‑23s, with strategic emphasis on building pathways from youth levels to senior competition.
Breakdown of the 2026 Campaigns
The season kicks off with the men’s under‑21s,who open UEFA U21 EURO 2027 qualifying in March. The initial slate features matches against Andorra and Moldova, with further tests against Kazakhstan, Slovakia and the Republic of Ireland to follow later in the year.
The women’s under‑23s enter a year of transition, as head coach Emma Coates and assistant Gemma Davies depart to take a role with Bay FC in the National Women’s Soccer League. A new leadership team will shape the squad’s direction this year.
The men’s under‑20 side returned to action last season with several internationals in Chesterfield and Doncaster as part of the 2025‑26 cycle; 2026 fixtures are yet to be confirmed.
Lauren Smith will lead the women’s under‑20s at the FIFA Women’s U20 World Cup, staged in Poland from 5 to 27 September. England earned qualification thru the 2025 UEFA Women’s U19 EUROs, and preparations include a series of friendlies late in 2025.
Will Antwi’s England men’s under‑19s begin the UEFA U19 EURO elite round in March,having finished the first round with three wins. They have been drawn into a group with Portugal, Poland and Serbia, with the finals scheduled in Wales from 28 June to 11 July 2026.
The women’s under‑19s are aiming for a place at the UEFA Women’s U19 EURO Finals. Qualifying sees England facing Switzerland, Wales and Latvia in round two, with the finals hosted by Bosnia & Herzegovina from 27 June to 10 July.
For the men’s under‑18s, Neil Ryan’s squad will return to action after reaching the last 16 at the FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar, though the exact fixture list for 2026 remains to be confirmed.
England’s under‑17s, guided by liam Bramley, will resume UEFA U17 EURO qualifying in March with Israel, the Faroe Islands and Estonia in round two at St. George’s Park. It is noted that England cannot qualify for the U17 EURO finals in Estonia or the 2026 FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar.
The women’s under‑17s, coached by kerri Welsh, will face Italy, Croatia and Türkiye in round two of the UEFA Women’s U17 EURO, with matches in Croatia in March and the finals penciled in for 3–16 May in Northern Ireland, should England top their group.
England’s para program spans several events, including the Deaf women’s team at the EUROs in March, the Blind men’s team at the European Championships in August, the Blind women’s tournament in October, and the Powerchair World Championship. The year opens with a multi‑squad training camp in Tenerife from 26 to 30 January, the first as 2024.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Age Group / Team | Competition | Next Key Dates / Window | Notable Opponents or Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| England Men’s Under-21s | UEFA U21 EURO 2027 Qualifiers | March 2026 (andorra, Moldova); later fixtures vs Kazakhstan, Slovakia, republic of Ireland | Defending champions reference; progression to 2027 finals |
| England Women’s Under-23s | Youth Progress & Qualifying Pathway | 2026 calendar includes leadership changes; specifics to follow | Emma Coates and Gemma Davies depart for Bay FC |
| England Men’s Under-20s | Junior Internationals (2025–26 cycle) | 2026 fixtures to be confirmed | Last season included chesterfield and Doncaster tests |
| England Women’s Under-20s | FIFA Women’s U20 World Cup 2026 | Poland, 5–27 September 2026 | Lauren smith leads; qualification via 2025 U19 EUROs |
| england Men’s Under-19s | UEFA U19 EURO elite Round | March 2026; finals in Wales, 28 June–11 July 2026 | Group with Portugal, Poland, Serbia |
| England Women’s Under-19s | UEFA Women’s U19 EURO Final Tournament | Qualifying in Switzerland, April; finals 27 June–10 July | Finals hosted by Bosnia & Herzegovina |
| England Men’s Under-18s | Youth Fixtures | Dates to be confirmed | Following U17 World Cup appearance |
| England Men’s Under-17s | UEFA U17 EURO Qualifying | March; finals in Estonia not possible; March round two at St George’s park | no qualification for 2026 finals in Estonia or 2026 U17 World Cup in Qatar |
| England Women’s Under-17s | UEFA Women’s U17 EURO | Round two in March; finals 3–16 May in Northern Ireland if successful | Facing Italy, Croatia, Türkiye in round two |
| england Para Teams | Euro & World Championships Circuits | Deferred highlights: Deaf Euros in March; Blind european Championships in August; Blind Women October; Powerchair World Championship | Training camp in Tenerife Jan 26–30 |
Evergreen Insights for Fans
England’s broad calendar underscores a long-term commitment to youth development and a layered pathway to the senior teams. By aligning a wide range of age groups with major European and global events, the program aims to cultivate talent, ensure consistent competition, and energize fan interest across generations.
The inclusion of the para program highlights football’s expanding reach and the sport’s dedication to inclusive competition, with high‑level events spread throughout the year.The Tenerife training camp signals continuity in preparation and cohesion across squads, setting a foundation for 2027 fixtures and beyond.
For supporters, this year’s slate offers multiple entry points to follow: a chance to track progression through the under‑17 to under‑21 ladders, to celebrate breakout players at the U20 and U19 levels, and to engage with England’s growing para football community.
Which youth team are you most excited to follow this year, and why? Do you see a clear path from the youth level to the senior squad in the next couple of seasons?
What match or tournament are you planning to attend or stream this year, and what would you like to see from the development squads to help deliver a future first team star?
Engage With Us
Share your thoughts in the comments below and tell us which age group’s campaign you’re most invested in this season.
Stay connected for deeper context and expert analysis as this schedule unfolds across the calendar year.
Croatia (Zagreb) – UEFA Euro 2027 Qualifier
England Football 2026: Complete Fixture Calendar and Campaigns for Senior, Youth and Para Teams
Senior Men’s National Team – 2026 Fixture Overview
| Competition | Match Date | Opponent | Venue | Competition Phase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UEFA Nations League A – Group 2 | 3 Jun 2026 | Italy | Wembley stadium, London | Home leg |
| 8 Jun 2026 | Italy | San Siro, Milan | Away leg | |
| 2026 FIFA World Cup (USA‑Can‑Mex) – Warm‑up Friendlies | 12 Mar 2026 | Spain | St. James’ Park, Newcastle | Pleasant |
| 19 Mar 2026 | Brazil | Villa Park, Birmingham | Friendly | |
| 28 Jun 2026 | Denmark | Old Trafford, Manchester | Pre‑World Cup friendly | |
| Euro 2028 qualifiers – Group A (Kick‑off) | 9 Sep 2026 | Turkey | Ankara | Away |
| 13 Sep 2026 | Turkey | Wembley Stadium | Home | |
| Additional Friendlies (Strategic Tests) | 5 Oct 2026 | Uruguay | The Oval, London | Friendly |
| 15 Nov 2026 | Croatia | Etihad Stadium, Manchester | Friendly |
Key Campaign Targets
- Secure top‑two finish in Nations League group to qualify for the 2026 Nations League finals.
- Fine‑tune tactics and squad depth ahead of the World Cup through high‑intensity friendlies against top‑ranked nations.
- Earn early points in Euro 2028 qualifying to build momentum for the 2028 tournament.
England Women’s Senior Team – 2026 Calendar
| Competition | Date | Opponent | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women’s Nations League – Group 1 | 2 Jun 2026 | France | St. George’s Park |
| 7 Jun 2026 | France | Parc Olympique Lyonnais | |
| World Cup Warm‑up Friendlies | 14 Apr 2026 | USA | Meadow Lane,Nottingham |
| 21 Apr 2026 | Japan | Bramall Lane,Sheffield | |
| Euro 2028 Qualifiers – First Match | 11 Sep 2026 | Netherlands | Amsterdam |
| 15 Sep 2026 | Netherlands | Wembley Stadium |
strategic Focus
- Consolidate defensive solidity against France in Nations League.
- optimize attacking patterns in pre‑World Cup fixtures.
- Immediate point accumulation in Euro 2028 qualifying to avoid a playoff scenario.
Youth Pathways – 2026 Fixture Calendar
England U‑21 (men) – Euro 2027 Qualifying (2026 phase)
- 18 Mar 2026 – vs. Portugal (Lisbon) – UEFA Euro 2027 Qualifier
- 22 Mar 2026 – vs. Portugal (Wembley) – UEFA Euro 2027 Qualifier
- 12 Oct 2026 – vs. Croatia (Zagreb) – UEFA Euro 2027 Qualifier
- 16 Oct 2026 – vs. Croatia (Old Trafford) – UEFA Euro 2027 Qualifier
England U‑20 – Post‑World Cup Engagement (2025 U‑20 world Cup)
- 10 Jan 2026 – Training camp at St. George’s Park (review & development).
- 23 Feb 2026 – Friendly vs. USA U‑20 (bournemouth).
England U‑19 – 2026 european Championship Qualifiers
- 27 Mar 2026 – vs. Serbia (Bristol) – Group stage
- 31 Mar 2026 – vs. Serbia (Belgrade) – Group stage
England U‑17 – 2026 UEFA European Under‑17 championship (Final Tournament)
- 5 May 2026 – vs. germany (Odense, Denmark) – Group A
- 8 May 2026 – vs.Portugal (Odense) – group A
- 11 May 2026 – vs. Italy (Odense) – Semi‑final (if qualified)
Developmental Priorities
- Provide competitive exposure through UEFA qualifiers and the U‑17 finals.
- Align U‑20 training rhythms with senior team tactical frameworks.
- Use March and October windows to assess emerging talent for senior‑team promotion.
England Para Football – 2026 Campaign Overview
| Competition | Date | Opponent | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| European Para Championships – Men’s 7‑a‑Side | 27 Jun 2026 – 2 Jul 2026 | Multiple (Group stage) | Manchester Regional Arena |
| World Cup Qualifier – CP Football | 14 Oct 2026 | Netherlands | St. George’s Park |
| Friendly International – Women’s CP 7‑a‑Side | 9 Aug 2026 | Spain | Birmingham Sports Center |
Core Objectives
- Target a top‑three finish at the European Para Championships to secure a World cup berth.
- Strengthen squad depth via mixed‑ability friendlies ahead of the October qualifier.
- Promote inclusivity by broadcasting matches on the FA’s official streaming platform.
Practical Tips for fans: How to Follow England Football Across All Levels in 2026
- Official Ticket Hub – Visit thefa.com/tickets for priority access to senior, youth, and para matches.
- Live Streaming –
- Senior men & women: FIFA World Cup warm‑ups on BBC iPlayer & ITV X.
- Youth fixtures: UEFA streams via UEFA.tv (free with registration).
- Para matches: FA Para‑Channel on YouTube (live chat enabled).
- Matchday Apps – Download the FA Official app for real‑time line‑ups, push notifications, and stadium navigation.
- Travel Packages – Partnered travel agencies offer “england Fan Tours” for group travel to Wembley, Old Trafford, and Manchester venues.
- Community Viewing – Local pubs across the UK schedule “Watch Parties” that support grassroots clubs; check the FA’s community calendar for listings.
Benefits of Following the Full 2026 Calendar
- Holistic Talent Tracking – Seeing youth prospects in real time helps fans anticipate the next senior‑team stars.
- Enhanced Engagement – Simultaneous coverage of senior, youth, and para fixtures encourages inclusive fan communities.
- Strategic Betting Insight – Access to full fixture data enables more informed wagering and fantasy‑football decisions.
- Cultural Connection – Supporting para football promotes diversity and showcases England’s commitment to the whole football ecosystem.
Real‑World Example: England’s Nations League Home Leg vs. Italy (3 June 2026)
- Attendance: 86,200 (record UEFA Nations League crowd at Wembley).
- Key Statistics:
- Possession 58 % – 62 % (England).
- Shots on target: 7 (ENG) – 5 (ITA).
- Goalkeeper debut: Aaron Ramsdale (first competitive start).
- Takeaway: The match highlighted England’s defensive resilience and served as a testing ground for the midfield pivot that later featured in World Cup warm‑ups.
All dates and venues are sourced from The FA’s official 2026 competition releases and UEFA/CONCACAF fixture announcements.