Belgium to face Euro 2016 winners Portugal in a friendly ahead of World Cup Group G clash against England

  • England will play Belgium in Group G at this summer's World Cup in Russia
  • Before the tournament, Roberto Martinez's side will play three friendlies in June 
  • They will take on Portgual on June 2 before playing both Egypt and Costa Rica

England's World Cup group rivals Belgium will test themselves against European champions Portugal before heading to Russia 2018.

Roberto Martinez's side will have three friendlies in early June, the Belgian football federation announced on Wednesday.

They will tackle Portugal on June 2, which could mean facing Cristiano Ronaldo, before playing Egypt on June 6. They then take on Costa Rica five days later, with venues to be announced at a later date. Belgium will depart on June 13 for their tournament campaign.

Belgium will test themselves against Euro 2016 winners Portugal before flying to Russia 2018

Belgium will test themselves against Euro 2016 winners Portugal before flying to Russia 2018

They take Portugal on June 2 before playing Egypt on June 6 and Costa Rica five days later

They take Portugal on June 2 before playing Egypt on June 6 and Costa Rica five days later

Martinez said on the federation website: 'These are solid teams who will test us in the same way as our World Cup opponents.


'With Portugal, we will be facing the European champions. Egypt will be an interesting test with respect to our second match at the World Cup against Tunisia.

'And the final match against Costa Rica, a Central American nation, will be totally with the emphasis on our opening match against Panama, another Central American country, on June 18 in Sochi.'

England are Belgium's third Group G opponents, with their match scheduled for June 28 in Kaliningrad.

Belgium sit fifth in the FIFA rankings and are the Group G top seeds.

'These are solid teams who will test us... (like) our World Cup opponents, said Roberto Martinez

'These are solid teams who will test us... (like) our World Cup opponents, said Roberto Martinez