The City Ground has seen some remarkable performances from Nottingham Forest this season, and the famous old stadium is now prepared to host international competition.
Forest’s 7-0 victory over Brighton on Saturday left City Ground fans delighted, with a number of excellent performances on display in front of the Forest supporters.
Joe Cole praised Murillo for his flawless defensive effort, while Stuart Pearce named Anthony Elanga player of the match against Brighton despite Chris Wood’s hat-trick.
Prior to the Brighton destruction, Forest’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool was one of the most high-profile nights at the City Ground in a generation, with the world’s attention focused on the battle of two Premier League championship contenders.
Arne Slot applauded Matz Sels’ performance against Liverpool, describing it as an all-action performance by the Forest squad, but Nuno Espirito Santo’s side will not be the only ones hosting at the City Ground this year, with Thomas Tuchel bringing his England side to Nottingham.
The City Ground will host an England match after an 84-year hiatus.
Forest fans have urged for Elliot Anderson to be called up to England after his great performances since joining from Newcastle, while Morgan Gibbs-White and Callum Hudson-Odoi are also waiting for a call from Tuchel.
According to The Athletic, the England national team will play an end-of-season friendly at the City Ground, which might provide the ideal chance.
According to the source, “Thomas Tuchel’s itinerary as the new England men’s head coach will see the national team play at the City Ground, home of Nottingham Forest, for the first time in more than 80 years.
“The Football Association has invited Senegal to play an end-of-season friendly, providing Tuchel with another opportunity to learn more about the players he has taken over from Gareth Southgate.
“If everything is finalised, the game will be staged on June 10, three days after England have played an away fixture against Andorra as part of their World Cup qualifying programme.”
Whilst undoubtedly exciting news, Forest fans may be slightly confused at the timing as the planned expansion of the City Ground would’ve been expected to pick up pace at the end of the Premier League season.
The report also details how this England game will impact the expansion plans, with a new proposed date revealed.
Nottingham Forest City Ground expansion is on hold until 2026.
Any concerns regarding the condition of the stadium extension were alleviated by the report, which provided a clear explanation of how the England game will affect the project.
The study stated that “significant work is planned to take the capacity to around 40,000, including demolishing and replacing the oldest of the four stands.”
“Although there has been no official announcement, the redevelopment has been pencilled in for the summer of 2026, leaving the FA free to plan for the game this summer.”
Evangelos Marinakis is demonstrating clear desire for his club, with stadium preparations progressing alongside Forest’s hopes to qualify for European football this season.
Hosting the national team will allow the Forest owner to celebrate the club’s extraordinary progress on the pitch before the expansion plans begin, with the hope of seeing a few members of the Forest squad on display.
