FOOTBALL legends Thierry Henry, Ronaldinho and Michael Owen are among those set to feature in a star-studded over-35s World Cup this year.
According to the Daily Mail, an eight-team tournament is set to be held in England over the summer.
It will involve past FIFA World Cup champions – England, Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Uruguay.
The tournament is being organised by the Elite Players Group (EPG) and will be known as the EPG Cup.
Only players who are over the age of 35 and have been capped by their country or made 100 top-flight appearances will be eligible to play.
The captains of each country are founders of the EPG – a group of elite former footballers and sports businessmen.
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Steve McManaman is set to skipper England with Ballon d’Or winner Owen also expected to take part.
Additionally, the Three Lions have allegedly enlisted Ashley Cole, Joe Cole, Rio Ferdinand, David James, Frank Lampard and Robbie Fowler.
Cafu, Roberto Carlos, Emerson, Kaka, Ronaldinho and Rivaldo are set to form a deadly line-up for Brazil, while Germany captain Kevin Kuranyi is determined to enlist ex-Real Madrid stars Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira.
Rumours suggest David Villa and Carles Puyol will join Michel Salgado in the Spanish squad, with Diego Forlan set to reunite with Diego Lugano for Uruguay.
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Legends set to play at EPG Cup 2024
England:
- Steve McManaman (C)
- Michael Owen
- Ashley Cole
- Joe Cole
- Rio Ferdinand
- David James
- Frank Lampard
- Robbie Fowler
Argentina:
- Esteban Cambiasso (C)
- Hernan Crespo
- Pablo Zabaleta
Brazil:
- Emerson (C)
- Kaka
- Ronaldinho
- Rivaldo
- Cafu
- Roberto Carlos
France:
- Christian Karembeu (C)
- Thierry Henry
- Marcel Desailly
Germany:
- Kevin Kuranyi (C)
- Mesut Ozil
- Sami Khedira
Italy
- Marco Materazzi (C)
- Fabio Cannavaro
- Francesco Totti
Spain
- Michel Salgado (C)
- David Villa
- Carles Puyol
Uruguay
- Diego Lugano (C)
- Diego Forlan
Christian Karembeu is in line to captain France and will be helped by Chelsea icon Marcel Desailly and Arsenal legend Henry.
Fabio Cannavaro, Marco Materazzi and Francesco Totti are down to represent Italy, with Esteban Cambiasso, Hernan Crespo and Pablo Zabaleta expected to play for Argentina.
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Seven matches are scheduled to take place at the beginning of June between the Champions League final and the start of Euro 2024.
Games will be 11-a-side but over 70 minutes and with rolling substitutes.
A venue for the competition is yet to be confirmed, but the Mail claims talks have taken place with some of the Premier League’s top Northern clubs.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
