December 14, 2024 at 10:10 PM

Coldplay Concerts Force England to Relocate World Cup Qualifier

Due to Coldplay's scheduled concerts at Wembley Stadium, England's national football team must find an alternative venue for their World Cup qualifying match against Andorra in September 2025.

Coldplay Concerts Force England to Relocate World Cup Qualifier

The English national football team is set to relocate one of its 2026 World Cup qualifying matches because of a scheduling conflict with British band Coldplay. The band has booked Wembley Stadium for a series of concerts, rendering the venue unavailable for England's fixture against Andorra on Saturday, 6 September 2025.

Under the management of newly appointed head coach Thomas Tuchel, England will face Serbia, Albania, Latvia, and Andorra in their qualifying group. While most home games are slated for Wembley, the clash with Andorra requires relocation due to Coldplay's ten concerts scheduled between 22 August and 8 September 2025.

The Football Association is now tasked with selecting an alternative venue. Fans have proposed Everton's new Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium in Liverpool, noting that England hasn't played in the city since March 2006. In recent years, the team has hosted matches in Newcastle, Manchester, Wolverhampton, Leicester, and Leeds, indicating a precedent for utilizing various stadiums across the country.

This situation underscores the challenges national teams face when coordinating match schedules with large-scale events at shared venues. The Football Association aims to confirm the new location promptly to facilitate logistical arrangements for players and supporters alike.