Kolkata: England arrives at Kolkata in rousing reception as they open their FIFA U17 World Cup campaign against Chile on Sunday, 8 October.
The star-studded English side though got an early stumble as Borussia Dortmund starlet Jadon Sancho didn’t get the permission to join the National team as his club refused to release him for the national duties. Though The FA is optimistic that the player would be released by the club during the course of the tournament, if not during the group stage games, certainly for the later part of the tournament. No doubt, the absence of Sancho would be a big blow to the “Three Lions”.
Though the English side is bolstered by the presence of Manchester United “wonder-kid” Angel Gomes. The team got greeted by following the local culture of Dhaak and folk dance.
Apart from Chile, the British will also play against Mexico and Asian powerhouse Iraq.
Ironically, England’s previous two U17 World Cup expeditions have been hosted by two of their group opponents, Chile and Mexico.
Unfortunately, in 2015, after beating the host nation in a pre-tournament friendly in Santiago, a squad featuring the likes of Everton’s Tom Davies and Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold went out after the group stage.
Prior to that, England’s 2011 campaign saw John Peacock’s side reached the quarter final in Mexico. That squad contained players such as Jordan Pickford, Nathaniel Chalobah, Nathan Redmond and Raheem Sterling.
The travelling England Squad:
Goalkeeper: Curtis Anderson (Manchester City), Josef Bursik (Stoke City), William Crelin (Fleetwood Town).
Defenders: Timothy Eyoma (Tottenham Hotspur), Morgan Gibbs White (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Lewis Gibson (Everton), Marc Guéhi (Chelsea), Joel Latibeaudiere (Manchester City), Tashan Oakley Boothe (Tottenham Hotspur), Jonathan Panzo (Chelsea), Steven Sessegnon (Fulham).
Midfielders: Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Angel Gomes (Manchester United), Nya Kirby (Crystal Palace), George McEachran (Chelsea)
Forwards: Rhian Brewster (Liverpool), Philip Foden (Manchester City), Callum Hudson Odoi (Chelsea), Danny Loader (Reading), Emile Smith Rowe (Arsenal)