England and Ireland's World Cup venues

ENGLAND V SWEDEN

2 June 2002 (6.30am BST). Saitama Stadium, Urawa. (Capacity: 63,700).

Urawa, home of the J-League's Red Diamonds, lies just north of Tokyo in Saitama, which is known as "the colourful prefecture" more for its forested hills than industrial cities. The stadium, the second-biggest in Japan, features two curved triangular roofs and several environmentally friendly features, including solar panels. Also hosts a semi-final.

Website: www.pref.saitama.jp/index_e.html

ENGLAND V ARGENTINA

7 June 2002 (12.30pm). Sapporo Dome. (Capacity: 42,122).

Sapporo is the cultural and economic hub of Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island, famous for its rugged natural scenery. More relaxing than most Japan cities, Sapporo has its share of greenery and historic buildings. The high-tech Dome features a mobile natural turf pitch.

Website: www.global.city.sapporo.jp

ENGLAND V NIGERIA

12 June 2002 (7.30am). Nagai Stadium, Osaka. (Capacity: 50,000).

Osaka, known as Japan's oldest city and first capital, is a thriving, cosmopolitan economic centre and home to 2.5m people, who are densely packed within its boundaries. Within 20 minutes by train of Kyoto, a cultural and architectural gem. The Nagai stadium is the centerpiece of a major sporting complex.

Website: www.city.osaka.jp

IRELAND V CAMEROON

1 June 2002 (7.30am) Big Swan Stadium, Niigata. (Capacity: 42,300).

The only host city on Japan's huge north-west coast, Niigata is an important sea terminal for 2.5m people. The surrounding prefecture, largely rural, is a big tourist destination and also produces the most rice in Japan. The Big Swan is a two-tier stadium with a translucent Teflon film roof.

Website: www.pref.niigata.jp/en/index.html

IRELAND V GERMANY

5 June 2002 (12.30pm). Kashima Stadium, Ibaraki prefecture. (Capacity: 49,133).

Kashima lies within an hour north-east of Tokyo and is a designated industrial and scientific development centre. The stadium, the closest to Narita International Airport, is home to the J-League's Antlers and features a statue of Zico, the Brazilian who helped the Antlers become J-League champions.

Website: www.pref.ibaraki.jp/en/menu.htm

IRELAND V S ARABIA

11 June 2002 (12.30pm). International Stadium, Yokohama. (Capacity: 70,564).

Also the venue for the World Cup final, the stadium lies within 30 minutes by tube of downtown Tokyo and is home to the J-League's Yokohama F Marinos. Yokohama used to be a fishing village but, now a major port of 3.4m people, it is effectively part of the capital's sprawl.

Website: www.city.yokohama.jp/indexE.html