England's World Cup playoff clash against Ukraine to be played in Spain

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Alessia Russo reacts to becoming top scoring English player in UWCL (1:34)

The first leg of England's Women's World Cup playoff clash with Ukraine will take place at the Pinatar Arena in Murcia, Spain, it has been announced.

The Lionesses take on Ukraine on Tuesday Dec. 1 as they seek to secure a place in next summer's tournament in Brazil.

Ukraine have been unable to play matches on home soil since the full-scale Russian invasion of the country began in 2022.

England have previously seen success at the Pinatar Arena. In 2022, they beat Japan there 4-0.

The second leg of the playoff will take place at Wembley Stadium.

England cruised through to their second-round playoff against Ukraine following an 8-1 victory on aggregate over Greece.

Last time out, Alessia Russo and Lauren James were both at the double as the Lionesses put five past Greece at Leicester's King Power stadium.

The Lionesses are likely to be bolstered by the recent news that head coach Sarina Wiegman has extended her contract through to Euro 2029. Sources told ESPN that the FA offered Wiegman a package worth comfortably more than anything ever offered to a Lionesses coach previously.

"I am so happy to be able to carry on with this squad and cannot think of a better job in football," Wiegman said upon the announcement of her contract extension.

"Working for a world-class organisation like The FA, and alongside so many people dedicated to winning England teams and the growth of our game, excites me every day.

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"Of course, anyone who knows me will understand that my main concern right now is absolutely the World Cup, and helping this squad realise their potential in the years to come.

"We have an important job to do to confirm our place in Brazil, and hopefully we can do that and give the country another special summer to remember next year."

England reached the final of the 2023 World Cup and will be hoping to go one better next year should they book their place in Brazil.