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Goodbye, Rooney! Hello, ticket sales boost

Wayne Rooney’s involvement in England’s friendly against the US on Thursday has fuelled an increase in demand for tickets, with the FA shifting more than 20,000 since the announcement.

The FA previously said it had hoped that the DC United player’s send-off would improve the attendance, which was projected to be less than half of Wembley Stadium’s 90,000 capacity before the confirmation of Rooney’s participation. An attendance of around 65,000 is now predicted.

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 with the plan to substitute him on at some stage during the second half.

The game, which had sold slightly more than 40,000 tickets as of last week, 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”. However, the governing body will not be donating any of the addition money received since rebranding as the Wayne Rooney Foundation International. Instead, fans have been given the chance to donate to his charity.

Image: Ben Sutherland