England open 2014 bid in Moldova

 

England will open their bid to reach the 2014 World Cup with an away tie against Molodova next year, the FA confirmed Wednesday as it released a schedule of qualifying fixtures.

England, aiming to qualify for a fifth consecutive World Cup, will finish their Group H campaign with back-to-back home fixtures at Wembley against Montenegro and Poland in October 2013.

Their opening fixture against the Moldovans in Chisinau is a repeat of their first qualifying game for the 1998 World Cup in 1996, when David Beckham made his debut under Glenn Hoddle.

England 2014 World Cup qualifying fixtures

Moldova v England, Friday 7 September 2012

England v Ukraine, Tuesday 11 September 2012

England v San Marino, Friday 12 October 2012

Poland v England, Tuesday 16 October 2012

San Marino v England, Friday 22 March 2013

Montenegro v England, Tuesday 26 March 2013

England v Moldova, Friday 6 September 2013

Ukraine v England, Tuesday 10 September 2013

England v Montenegro, Friday 11 October 2013

England v Poland, Tuesday 15 October 2013