England U18, managed by Neil Ryan, are set to take on France in a double-header friendly at St. George’s Park during this international break. The first fixture kicks off tonight at 6pm (UK time) and will serve as an ideal opportunity to fine-tune the final details of a training camp designed as part of the build-up to the FIFA U17 World Cup, which takes place in Qatar this November.
A look back and the line-up to face France
The Young Lions kicked off their international season in impressive fashion back in September, lifting the Costa De La Luz U18 Tournament with maximum points. They claimed three wins from three: 3–1 against Uzbekistan, 4–1 versus Morocco, and a tighter 3–2 victory over Canada. Neil Ryan opted for a well-balanced squad, combining players from England’s leading academies with a few exciting prospects based abroad — including Alejandro Rodriguez, the prolific striker from Olympique Lyonnais.
That tournament showcased a dynamic attacking line, with Ryan McAidoo, Chizaram Ezenwata, and Igor Tyjon all making their mark despite limited minutes. The trip provided a valuable foundation, helping to build chemistry and reaffirm the strength and ambition of this highly promising age group.
For this latest camp, Ryan has expanded his squad to 27 players, not to rebuild but to refine the finer details before the key competitions ahead. A sense of continuity remains, with several names returning from September — among them Jun’ai Byfield (Tottenham), Kaden Braithwaite (Manchester City) and Alejandro Rodriguez (Lyon). He’s also brought in fresh, complementary profiles such as Reigan Heskey (Manchester City), Landon Emenalo (Chelsea) and Louis Page (Leicester), who can all offer versatility in attacking transitions and ball control.
England’s starting XI to face France
- Owen Asemota (Aston Villa)
- Freddie Simmonds (Brighton and Hove Albion)
- Jun’ai Byfield(Tottenham Hotspur)
- Wesley Okoduwa (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
- Bendito Mantato (Manchester United)
- Seth Ridgeon (Fulham FC)
- Harrison Miles (Manchester City)
- Reigan Heskey (Manchester City)
- Ryan McAidoo (Manchester City)
- Igor Tyjon (Blackburn Rovers)
- Chizaram Ezenwata (Chelsea FC)
