AFC Bournemouth
England Men's Under-21s will start 2022 on the south coast with AFC Bournemouth set to host the Young Lions’ next fixture.
Vitality Stadium will be the venue for the visit of Andorra on Friday 25 March (7.45pm kick-off) and the game will form part of the 2023 UEFA European U21 Championship qualification process.
England are unbeaten in qualifying, with two games in hand on group leaders Czech Republic, so Lee Carsley’s squad will be looking to maintain the pressure at the home of the Cherries.
Bournemouth is no stranger to hosting international fixtures. This will be the third occasion Vitality Stadium has welcomed the Under 21s, having witnessed a 3-0 European qualifying win over Latvia in September 2017 and a 2-1 defeat to Germany in March 2019.
Since 2009, the venue has also hosted England Under 16s, Under 19s, Under 20s and the senior women’s team.
Head coach Carsley, who took charge of the group in July 2021, said: “We had enjoyable experiences playing home qualifiers in Milton Keynes and Burnley last year, so look forward to bringing this important fixture to another part of the country.
“Bournemouth is a great venue and this occasion will be an opportunity for all football fans from across the region to witness this country’s latest group of exciting young players in action at close quarters.”
Neill Blake, AFC Bournemouth's Chief Executive, also commented: “I’m really pleased that Vitality Stadium has been chosen to host this fixture. It promises to be a fantastic occasion and is a great opportunity for people to come and watch the best young players in this country.
"It speaks volumes of the quality of our matchday operation that we have been selected again and we’re looking forward to welcoming the England under-21s management, players and staff in March.”
To purchase tickets for the fixture, visit TheFA.com/tickets.
Following Andorra, the under-21s will continue their qualifying campaign with a trip to face Albania in Elbasan on Tuesday 29 March. There are 14 places up for grabs at the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship alongside joint hosts Romania and Georgia.
