Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton, officially opened the English Football Association's new 100 million pound center of excellence on Tuesday.

Prior to the official opening the couple were given a tour of the FA's National Football Centre at St George's Park, which will be home to 24 England teams from juniors to the full senior squad.

Speaking at the opening ceremony Prince William, who is president of the FA, compared the 330 acre site to the Olympic Park.

The senior England team are using the centre for the first time this week as they prepare for World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Poland.

As well as aiming to raise standards of play in the English game, the facility will also be used to train coaches and improve the understanding of sports science and psychology.

Prince William paid tribute to the FA which will celebrate its 150th anniversary next year and raised laughter in the crowd with a jovial reference to his brother, Prince Harry.