Lee Carsley’s age group are preparing for the UEFA U21 EURO to be staged in Romania and Georgia across June and July – the ninth consecutive time we have qualified for the competition. The Young Lions will warm up for that championship by taking on two fellow finalists at Premier League venues.

Leicester City will be the stage for the fixture against the French on Saturday 25 March (5pm kick-off) before the MU21s head to Fulham’s Craven Cottage to meet Croatia on Tuesday 28 March (7.45pm kick-off).

Head coach Carsley said: “The best preparation we can have for a European Championship is to test ourselves against top class opposition and that is exactly what France and Croatia will provide.

“It’s even better that those matches are taking place on home soil and putting on a show in Leicester and Fulham will be the perfect send off ahead of an exciting summer for this talented group of Young Lions.”

Croatia are familiar foes for the MU21s having last met in the group stage of the last edition of the U21 EURO; a 2-1 victory in Koper, Slovenia.

Similarly, England last met France at the finals of an U21 EURO; a 2-1 group stage defeat in Cesena, Italy in 2019.

England will be based in Georgia at this summer’s tournament alongside a group with reigning champions Germany, Czech Republic and Israel. The Young Lions have reached every U21 final since 2007, a record unrivalled across Europe.

Meanwhile, England discovered their qualifying round opponents for the 2025 UEFA European U21 Championship earlier today (1 February) having been drawn in Group F alongside Ukraine, Serbia, Northern Ireland, Azerbaijan and Luxembourg.

Tickets for the fixture cost £15 for adults and £7.50 for concessions and can be accessed here. Season ticket holders at Leicester City, as well as group bookings, can secure tickets for £10 per adult and £5 per concession. 'Early bird' prices of £10 for adults and £5 for concessions will also be available for the first week of sales (close 11.59pm, Thursday 9 February).