A host of ex-England stars could be set to feature for the Three Lions in this summer’s over-35s World Cup.
An eight-team tournament is set to be held in England in June involving past champions, with the 1966 winners coming up against Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Uruguay.
Icons Ronaldinho and Thierry Henry are understood to be among the players taking part in the competition – which will be known as the EPG Cup as it is being organised by the Elite Players Group.
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.
But that means a plethora of former England stars could be set to feature.
SunSport has predicted that the keeper and back four may be made up of David James, Gary Neville, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand and Ashley Cole.
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Steve McManaman is set to captain England – as the founders of the EPG are expected to lead their respective nations.
Joe Cole is another name that has reportedly been enlisted, along with former Chelsea team-mate Frank Lampard.
And Lampard could be joined in the middle of the park by Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard.
Up front, Ballon d’Or winner Michael Owen is set to take part, with Robbie Fowler another star striker in the frame.
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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
But England face tough competition in the tournament.
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.
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.
Seven matches are scheduled to take place between the Champions League final and the start of Euro 2024.
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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
