Egypt and England confirm friendly negotiations

The Egyptian FA has confirmed ongoing negotiations to play England at Wembley on March 3 as part of England’s preparations for the World Cup.

England manager Fabio Capello is keen to play a friendly against a team with a similar style to England’s Group C opponents Algeria, and has identified Egypt as his preferred opponents.

Hany Abou Rida of the Egyptian FA told Eurosport Arabia, “After the World Cup draw, some officials from the English FA and Fabio Capello talked to me about the same issue.

“They all asked for a match with the Egyptian team at Wembley next March, and we are now discussing their offer within the Egyptian FA.”

The Pharaohs are the reigning African champions, but will not be in South Africa after losing to Algeria in a chaotic, violent and close play-off in Sudan last month.

Algeria topped Egypt in their World Cup decider by one goal to nothing to deny Egypt’s bid to qualify for the World Cup.

Capello said a game against Egypt would be: “A nice choice to know the style of the North Africans.”

England has drawn the United States, Algeria and Slovenia in Group C in the World Cup Group Stage.