From 3 to 27 November, England U17 will compete at the FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar with a clear objective: to shine on the global stage and challenge for the title with a highly competitive squad. Under the guidance of Neil Ryan, it will in fact be the U18 cohort – players born in 2008 – who represent the Three Lions, due to a qualification calendar that began over a year ago. Their opening group match, against Venezuela, will provide the Young Lions with their first opportunity to set the tone.
An U18 generation chasing the World Cup dream
England’s U17 World Cup squad does not reflect the most recent U17 gatherings, but is instead built around the U18 group competing during the 2025–26 campaign. This selection, driven by the timing of the qualification pathway, allows Neil Ryan to rely on a 2008 generation already well-versed at international level.
The 21-man travelling party took part in an October training camp featuring two matches against France at St George’s Park: a 1–0 win followed by a 2–2 draw – two results that underline the side’s cohesion and tactical maturity.
In September, the Young Lions impressed by putting together victories over Uzbekistan (3–1), Morocco (4–1) and Canada (3–2) at the Costa de la Luz Tournament. All three opponents have also qualified for the World Cup, offering England the chance to measure themselves against varied playing styles while fine-tuning their collective patterns.
The squad features standout talents from some of Europe’s most prestigious academies – including Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Olympique Lyonnais, the latter represented by Alejandro Gomes Rodriguez, the only player in the group currently based outside England. Names such as Reigan Heskey (son of former England striker Emile Heskey), Landon Emenalo and Bendito Mantato embody the ambition and promise of this exciting new generation.
Gomes Rodriguez, who plays for Lyon, enjoyed a superb year with England’s youth set-ups: nine goals in ten U17 appearances and two goals in five matches with the U18s. The Venezuela match will hold particular significance for him, having been born there on 11 March 2008 before moving to Southampton at the age of ten.
England starting XI to face Venezuela :
- Jack Porter (Arsenal FC)
- Freddie Simmonds (Brighton and Hove Albion)
- Malachi Hardy (Tottenham Hotspur)
- Kaden Braithwaite (Manchester City)
- Bradley Burrowes (Aston Villa)
- Seth Ridgeon (Fulham FC)
- Harrison Miles (Manchester City)
- Louis Page (Leicester City)
- Ryan McAidoo (Manchester City)
- Reigan Heskey (Manchester City)
- Alejandro Gomes Rodriguez (Olympique Lyonnais)
