England return to Newcastle as St James’ Park chosen for Euro 2024 warm-up clash

Newcastle United supporters are in for a treat as England will face Bosnia and Herzegovina at St James’ Park ahead of Euro 2024.

The Three Lions last played on Tyneside in 2005 when Sven-Goran Eriksson’s men beat Azerbaijan 2-0 in a World Cup qualifier. Other fixtures in recent memory include wins over Albania as well as Ukraine.

St James’ Park had been shunned in recent years, with the FA taking the national team to Sunderland and Middlesbrough when touring the North East. But Geordies will finally get another chance to roar on England before they jet off to Germany - as Gareth Southgate’s men aim to end 58 years of hurt.

An update from the head of Bosnia’s FA confirmed a June 3 fixture before England made an official announcement. The Instagram post read: “The national teams of Bosnia and Herzegovina and England will play a friendly match before the European Championship in Germany. The first mutual meeting in the history of these two selections will be played on June 3 in Newcastle.

“I would like to thank the FA of England for the agreement they reached. For us this is a great honour and privilege. I hope that the game in the cradle of football will be a huge motive for our players.”

Newcastle had a flavour of international football earlier this season when they hosted Saudi Arabia’s fixtures against Costa Rica and South Korea. In previous years, the Magpies’ home was chosen as a venue for Euro 96 and the London 2012 - the two most recent high-profile tournaments on UK soil.

Reports have suggested St James’ Park is under consideration as a location for Euro 2028, with England and the Republic of Ireland joint hosts. There could also be Toon interest within Southgate’s squad as Kieran Trippier, Callum Wilson and Nick Pope eye a spot on the plane.

Anthony Gordon is also on the cusp of his maiden England bow after impressing for Newcastle this season. The 22-year-old starred as a junior, earning Player of the Tournament as the under-21s won the Euros last summer.