Newcastle United's St James' Park could be the stage for international football this autumn with Saudi Arabia's World Cup heroes heading for the North-East.
The suggestion in Saudi Arabia is that the Green Falcons - who stunned eventual winners Argentina at Qatar 2022 - in the group stages could take the field in front of the Gallowgate End. Saudi Arabia are reportedly heading to Tyneside for a training camp between September 4-11 for their preparations
ESPN are now reporting that Saudi Arabia and Mexico are in discussions for a friendly game on September 7 at St James'. This would fit into the schedule as Saudi Arabia prepare for FIFA's Asian Cup which takes place in Qatar between January 12-10 February.
It is said that the English FA would have to give the green light for the international fixture to be played. Although, that has not proved to be an issue for other clubs in the past.
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For example, the FA have given Arsenal the green light eight times to host Brazil games at the Emirates Stadium between 2006 and 2018. The Premier League stated that they were satisfied that Newcastle's links with Saudi Arabia had clear blue water between the Saudi state and PIF when they passed the takeover in October 2021.
St James' Park has not hosted international action since the 2012 Olympic Games when six matches were played on Tyneside. Before that England played in three internationals in front of Geordie fans between 2001-2005 when Wembley was being redeveloped.
The England national team ended up playing pre-Euro 2020 friendlies at Middlesbrough FC two years ago as Tyneside fans missed out.
