England has announced its squad for the upcoming Under-17 World Cup, featuring promising talents Jun’ai Byfield, Luca Williams-Barnett, and Tynan Thompson. The tournament, taking place in Qatar, highlights England’s commitment to developing young footballers.
Key Players for the Under-17 World Cup
- Jun’ai Byfield: A regular in both the Under-17 and Under-18 squads, Byfield has captained the team twice and scored in a recent match against Canada.
- Luca Williams-Barnett: At just 16, he made his debut for his club’s first team and scored in the same match against Canada where he also netted earlier in the month against Uzbekistan.
- Tynan Thompson: A new addition to the squad, Thompson made his first international appearance in September and assisted Williams-Barnett’s goal against Canada.
Tournament Overview
This year’s Under-17 World Cup, featuring 48 teams, begins on November 4. England is in Group E, facing three opponents:
- Venezuela: Opening match on November 4.
- Haiti: Scheduled for November 7.
- Egypt: Concluding group stage on November 10.
All matches will occur at the Aspire Zone in Al Rayyan. The top two teams from each group and the eight best third-placed teams will advance to the knockout stage.
Competition Structure and Historical Performance
A total of 104 matches will be held over 25 days, culminating in the final on November 27 at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha. England won this tournament last in 2017, with notable graduates like Timothy Eyoma and Tashan Oakley-Boothe part of that squad.
Previously, players like Reiss Russell-Denny represented England in 2023, while historic participants included Marcus Edwards, Alfie Whiteman, and Danny Rose in earlier tournaments.
England’s young athletes are poised for success as they embark on this exciting challenge. Best of luck to the squad as they aim to reclaim the title!
