Samba-style launch for FA’s 150th anniversary party

England kick-off the Football Association’s 150th anniversary celebrations with matches against Brazil and the Republic of Ireland at Wembley next year.

Brazil lost the Olympic final to Mexico at Wembley last month and the five times World Cup winners will return to the stadium on February 6, with England playing in Rio next June.

Roy Hodgson’s men face Ireland on May 29 in the first meeting between the teams since the ‘friendly’ in Dublin 17 years ago, which was abandoned.

The Euro 96 warm-up at Lansdowne Road saw both sets of fans booing each other’s national anthem and, shortly after David Kelly put Ireland 1-0 up, England fans began ripping up seats and throwing missiles. Referee Dick Jol abandoned the game before riot police intervened and 50 people were injured during the battles.

The FA have already booked a Wembley friendly with Scotland on August 14 and, following today’s announcement, are also working on a meeting with Uruguay as part of a South American tour which will also feature the game in Rio.

England do not have any World Cup matches at the end of the season but the FA have assured Premier League bosses the players will be home by June 11, when other nations will still be playing qualifying games.