Matt Thorpe has selected players from twelve clubs
Goalkeepers Thomas Armytage and Arlo Tye represent Plymouth Argyle and Derby County. The four defenders come from Manchester United, Blackburn Rovers, West Bromwich Albion and Benfica. England also have four midfielders and four forwards.
Thomas Armytage is the correct spelling of the Plymouth goalkeeper’s name. The squad includes players based across England as well as Piers Pinnock of Benfica, giving the group experience of different academy systems.
The first stage contains five group matches
England begin against Nicaragua on October 24. They face Montenegro and Cambodia on October 25, then the Republic of Ireland and Zimbabwe on October 26. October 27 is a rest day before the second stage begins.
The opening results place each team into one of six categories for the tournament phase from October 28 to 30. Each national side is expected to play at least nine matches across the week, so the event continues well beyond the original group.
England’s 14-player squad
- Goalkeeper: Thomas Armytage – Plymouth Argyle
- Goalkeeper: Arlo Tye – Derby County
- Defender: Joseph Akinsanya – Manchester United
- Defender: Rocco Derefaka – Blackburn Rovers
- Defender: Abdul-Muiz Odunsanya-Edunfunke – West Bromwich Albion
- Defender: Piers Pinnock – SL Benfica
- Midfielder: Kobi Akerele – Liverpool
- Midfielder: Isaac Allen – Tottenham Hotspur
- Midfielder: Azae Bonnick – Nottingham Forest
- Midfielder: Brian Nyoni – Manchester United
- Forward: Shakeel Charles – Sheffield United
- Forward: Emmanuel Famokun – West Ham United
- Forward: Ty Livesey – Blackburn Rovers
- Forward: Tommy McLoughlin – Ipswich Town
Matches are played eight against eight
Every game has two halves of twenty minutes. The smaller teams and shorter pitch create more touches and decisions for each player than a standard eleven-a-side match. Coaches can assess how players receive the ball, defend space and respond quickly after possession changes.
The event combines a World Cup with a development festival. Its unusual structure gives every squad several opponents instead of eliminating most teams after a short group stage. The final matches take place on October 30.
England’s complete squad covers every position
The two goalkeepers, four defenders, four midfielders and four forwards form a balanced fourteen-player group for the eight-a-side format. Shorter matches allow the coaches to rotate players while keeping a clear structure in each game.
The selection is a squad for this tournament rather than a prediction of future senior careers. Its immediate purpose is to give the players international matches against teams from several football regions in one week.