England U15 are set to make their debut at the inaugural FIFA U15 World Cup, with Nicaragua providing the opposition this Saturday, 24 October, in Baku, Azerbaijan. Led by Matt Thorpe, the Young Lions are taking part in a new competition bringing together nearly 190 member associations, with a format designed to support the development of young players.
The Young Lions ready to take part in a historic tournament
Matt Thorpe has selected a 14-player squad for this inaugural edition, featuring several promising talents from renowned English academies, including Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United. Benfica’s Piers Pinnock is also one to watch, alongside striker Ty Livesey, who has scored three goals in four U18 Premier League appearances this season despite his young age.
The tournament features an eight-a-side format, including goalkeepers, with two 20-minute halves played on a reduced-size pitch. The format is designed to encourage individual duels, initiative and attacking opportunities. In their opening fixture against Nicaragua, the Young Lions will look to settle into the competition quickly and make a positive start before their two remaining group-stage matches.
The England U15 team to face Nicaragua :
- Arlo Tye (Derby County)
- Piers Pinnock (Benfica)
- Joseph Akinsanya (Manchester United)
- Rocco Derefaka (Blackburn Rovers)
- Brian Nyonyi (Manchester United)
- Isaac Allen (Tottenham Hotspur)
- Tommy McLoughlin (Ipswich Town)
- Ty Livesey (Blackburn Rovers)
