Ghana’s Black Queens to face European champions England in December friendly

Ghana’s Black Queens will take on England’s Lionesses in a headline international friendly at St. Mary’s Stadium on 2 December 2025, following an agreement between the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the Football Association in England.

The match represents one of the most high-profile fixtures ever secured by the national women’s team and comes at a pivotal moment in their development.

The Queens reached the semi-finals of the 2024 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (WAFCON) and have made no secret of their ambition to consolidate that breakthrough by establishing themselves among the elite sides on the continent.

Facing the reigning European champions — ranked among the world’s top nations and World Cup finalists last year — offers a rare chance to test their credentials against genuine world-class opposition.

According to the GFA, the fixture forms part of a broader programme of warm-up matches aimed at preparing the team for upcoming international assignments, including the 2026 WAFCON and the next FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying cycle.

Officials believe the challenge posed by England will sharpen the squad tactically and mentally ahead of competitive action.

Head coach Kim Lars Björkegren has welcomed the opportunity, describing the game as an invaluable benchmark for his side.

The Swedish tactician is expected to use the friendly to gauge his players’ readiness, experiment with new systems and address weaknesses exposed during recent tournaments.

For the players, the encounter is more than just a preparatory exercise. It is a stage to demonstrate Ghana’s progress in women’s football and to show they can compete with the sport’s best.

With global attention on Southampton in December, the Black Queens are determined to deliver a performance that underlines their rising stature.