European champions England are set to face South American champions Brazil in the inaugural women's Finalissima at Wembley Stadium next year, UEFA has announced.
The heavyweight match has been organised in wake of mounting momentum for the women's game. Both UEFA and CONMEBOL enjoyed highly successful final tournaments in July this year, with the Lionesses lifting the Euro trophy over Germany in front of a sold-out Wembley Stadium and Pia Sundhage's side clinching their fourth straight Copa America Feminina title with a 1-0 victory over Columbia.
A first-ever women's edition of the popular Finalissima will take place on April 6, 2023, and is viewed as the latest demonstration of the global appeal and rapid growth women's football is experiencing. It provides an opportunity to whet the appetite for the FIFA Women's World Cup occurring just three months later in Australia and New Zealand.
England began their preparations for the 2019 World Cup with a sold-out clash against Brazil in Middlesbrough in October 2018. Then, 30,000 fans watched Fran Kirby score the only goal of the match in a predominantly one-sided affair in which the winning margin arguably should have been bigger.
Sarina Wiegman's side will be looking to head into the 2022 World Cup with similar momentum as they bid to eclipse a fourth-place finish in the 2019 World Cup held in France.
England were drawn in Group D for the summer's showpiece and are set to face China, Denmark and the Group B play-off winner, either Chile, Senegal or Haiti, and will be based in Australia.
England begin their World Cup campaign with Group B play-off winners on 22 July in Brisbane before facing Denmark on 28 July in Sydney and China on 1 August in Adelaide.
A full run-down of the Women's World Cup draw can be found here.
