England to face Brazil at Wembley

England will face five-times world champions Brazil in their first match at the new Wembley Stadium, the English FA said on Wednesday.

The friendly will be played on June 1, five days before England’s UEFA EURO 2008 qualifier against Estonia.

“We’re delighted to be able to announce that Brazil will be the first team to take on England at the new Wembley,” FA chief executive Brian Barwick said on The FA’s website.

“It’s a fantastic match to mark the team’s return to the stadium after nearly seven years on the road around the country.”

England played at the old stadium for the last time in October 2000 when they lost 1-0 to Germany. The old Wembley was the stage on which England beat West Germany to win the World Cup in 1966.

“Brazil featured in some memorable matches at the old Wembley. The new stadium is a fantastic football arena and I’m confident there will be many new memories created there for England fans over the coming years,” Barwick said.

England have played Brazil nine times at Wembley, most recently in a 1-1 draw in May 2000.

Adrian Bevington, the FA’s director of communications told Sky Sports News: “You cannot get better opponents than that.”

Construction of the £800 million ($1.58 billion) stadium, which boasts a 133-metre arch, was blighted by rising costs and delays but it received its safety certificate last month after two test events, the second of which was England’s 3-3 draw with Italy in an U-21 friendly international.