The English FA announced on Sunday that Wayne Rooney, D.C. United’s captain, has been called in to play one final game for England. That game will take place on Thursday, November 15th at Wembley Stadium, against the US national team. The FA also announced that the game will in honor of Rooney’s charitable causes, and will be called The Wayne Rooney Foundation International.
Rooney, who recently turned 33, has not played for England since a November 11, 2016 game against Scotland in a 2018 World Cup qualifier. He officially retired from international duty in August 2017, after having moved from Manchester United to Everton.
The appearance will be Rooney’s 120th for the senior men’s team. That’s second most in England’s history, five short of goalkeeper Peter Shilton’s 125. Rooney is also the all-time leading scorer for the men’s side, with 53 goals, to go along with 20 assists. He set the men’s scoring record in 2015, with this penalty against Switzerland, in a Euro 2016 qualifier.
“I am truly humbled and hugely excited to play for England at Wembley again. I would like to thank Gareth Southgate and The FA for inviting me back and helping to support my Foundation in the process.,” Rooney said in the FA’s announcement.
“Playing for England was the greatest honour of my career – so winning my 120th, and final, cap will be a particularly special moment for me,” added United’s captain. “It’s fitting that the match will be against the USA and I hope that both sets of fans enjoy the game.”
During his career with England, Rooney played in three World Cups and three European Championships, starting with the 2004 Euros. In 2016, he captained manager Gareth Southgate’s side at the 2016 Euros in France, as England were sent home early in the knockout round against Iceland.
— England (@England) November 4, 2018
The main focus of Rooney’s foundation focuses on disadvantaged children. It has made donations to and worked with the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and Claire House Children’s Hospice. The Foundation also donated to the victims of the bombing of the Manchester Arena in 2017.
Southgate will name the rest of his squad on November 8th. Meanwhile, there’s a chance that several of Rooney’s United teammates might be opposite of him at Wembley. With United getting knocked out early in the MLS Playoffs, there’s a chance that Bill Hamid, Paul Arriola, and Russell Canouse will get called-in by US interim manager Dave Sarachan.
Sarachan’s roster is set to be released on Monday.