England to Play Brazil at Wembley in 2013 Friendly

The FA have confirmed the English senior team will host Brazil and the Republic of Ireland at the Wembley in February and May, in international friendlies, as part of celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the governing body.

"2013 is a landmark year for The FA and an exciting England fixture programme, in addition to Wembley hosting the UEFA Champions League Final, will form a key part of the celebrations. As the most successful footballing nation, with great players and supporters, it will be fantastic to launch this important year in English football's history against such outstanding opponents as Brazil," Club England managing director Adam Bevington told the FA's Web site, "We also look forward to hosting Republic of Ireland and Scotland at Wembley next year. These matches are sure to evoke great passion among supporters."

The Brazilians were last at Wembley during the football event at the London Olympics 2012, when a star-studded Seleção (boasting the likes of Hulk, Neymar and Oscar) were beaten in the final by Mexico. The last time the senior side visited London was in 2011, to play African nation Ghana in a last-minute friendly, which Leandro Damiao's strike won for the South Americans. The game was played at Fulham's Craven Cottage on 5 September.

The FA also confirmed that the England team would travel to Rio de Janeiro in June next year, to play two friendlies - one against Brazil and the other against an as yet unnamed side. The tour, it seems, has been arranged to provide the players with a chance to get used to the South American climate and environment, ahead of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

"We have been planning the fixtures in Brazil for over a year, as a key part of our preparation for 2014 - subject to qualification. Our players do not have any experience of playing in South America and it will undoubtedly be beneficial for the team to travel and play in Brazil, a year ahead of the World Cup. We negotiated our qualifying schedule with a specific view to allowing this," Bevington added.

Meanwhile, the Republic of Ireland, who hammered Oman 4-1 in a friendly at Craven Cottage, will next play Germany, in a World Cup qualifying match, on 12 October, at Dublin.