The Football Association (FA) hopes that Wayne Rooney’s final international match will boost ticket sales for England’s friendly against the US next week after an initial low demand for the game.
The FA is optimistic that the DC United player’s send-off will improve the attendance, which is currently projected to be less than half of Wembley Stadium’s 90,000 capacity.
Rooney, who will claim his 120th cap, will be named in the England squad for the first time in two years, starting on the bench for the US game on November 15 with the plan to substitute him in at some stage during the second half.
The game, which has sold slightly more than 40,000 tickets so far, has been branded The Wayne Rooney Foundation International and will raise money for the former England captain’s charity.
The FA said it was an opportunity to honour Rooney’s “record-breaking international career”.
“I am humbled and hugely excited to play for England at Wembley again,” Rooney said. “I would like to thank Gareth Southgate and The FA for inviting me back and helping to support my foundation in the process.
“Playing for England was the greatest honour of my career — so winning my 120th and final cap will be a particularly special moment. It’s fitting that the match will be against the US. I have been hugely impressed with the progress of this young England team. I hope that while I am with the squad I can pass on some of my experience.”
Image: Ben Sutherland
Share this