England Announce France and Germany Friendlies, Spain and Netherlands Planned

The Football Association announced on Wednesday England will take on hosts France and world champions Germany in two friendlies in the build-up to Euro 2016, with plans also in store to play Spain and the Netherlands.

The FA confirmed the news via its official Twitter feed, also adding that friendlies against Italy and the Republic of Ireland had previously been set:

The friendlies are subject to the Three Lions qualifying for Euro 2016, but with Roy Hodgson having made a perfect start to the qualifying round and already leading Group E by six points, much would have to go wrong for England not to make the final cut.

While pre-tournament friendlies are part of every team's preparation, England appear to have made a clear choice to play the toughest opposition possible.

Hosts France have one of the youngest and most talented squads in Europe, only beaten by the eventual champions at the World Cup. Those champions were Germany, who triumphed at the Brazilian tournament in dominant fashion.

Scott Heppell/Associated Press

Spain will defend their title in 2016, while the Netherlands finished third at the World Cup in Brazil. 

England have won six straight since that same tournament, however, and a series of matches against the very best the continent has to offer will give Hodgson a good indication of what his team will be in store for in the summer of 2016.