AZ Gull
@SeagullsAcademy @seagullsacademy.bsky.social
Tomorrow the 24-team 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup commences in Argentina. It should have been hosted by Indonesia but on March 29 FIFA stripped them of hosting rights due to protests about the participation of Israel. It was only on April 17 (little more than a month ago) that FIFA confirmed the tournamnet would now be held in South America.
As previously discussed elsewhere on here, Facundo Buonanotte has not been released for the Argentinian squad but we do have three representatives making the trip. For England, goalkeeper James Beadle (who has presumably recovered from the ankle injury that caused his loan spell at League Two Crewe Alexandra to be ended prematurely) has been called up, as has left-back Imari Samuels (who hasn't been involved with England since U-17 level).
Our third representative is Frenchman Samy Chouchane, who qualifies to play for Tunisia and has been selected by the Eagles of Carthage.
It should be noted that due to the timing of the tournament, many nations have suffered from clubs refusing to release their players due to ongoing involvement in league matches/play-offs. For instance, Chelsea refused to release Lewis Hall (which might be one reason that Samuels has got his chance). Carney Chukwuemeka is in the squad but it is uncertain whether Chelsea will actually allow him to travel.
The England squad flew out on Tuesday, but obviously Samuels wasn't on the flight as he was named as a sub at St James' Park last night. It is all a bit of a mess, unfortunately.
Albion have had some previous representation in this tournament:-
* In 2019 Leo Ostigard captained the Norway side and scored in their third group match, a 12-0 victory over Honduras when a lad called Erling Haaland scored NINE goals (whatever became of him?)
* In January 2017 Fikayo Tomori joined us on loan from Chelsea. In May/June he played in all seven matches as England won the tournament, beating Venezuela 1-0 in the final.
* In 2013 Jake Forster-Caskey was named in the provisional 35-man listing but failed to make the final England squad.
As previously discussed elsewhere on here, Facundo Buonanotte has not been released for the Argentinian squad but we do have three representatives making the trip. For England, goalkeeper James Beadle (who has presumably recovered from the ankle injury that caused his loan spell at League Two Crewe Alexandra to be ended prematurely) has been called up, as has left-back Imari Samuels (who hasn't been involved with England since U-17 level).
Our third representative is Frenchman Samy Chouchane, who qualifies to play for Tunisia and has been selected by the Eagles of Carthage.
It should be noted that due to the timing of the tournament, many nations have suffered from clubs refusing to release their players due to ongoing involvement in league matches/play-offs. For instance, Chelsea refused to release Lewis Hall (which might be one reason that Samuels has got his chance). Carney Chukwuemeka is in the squad but it is uncertain whether Chelsea will actually allow him to travel.
The England squad flew out on Tuesday, but obviously Samuels wasn't on the flight as he was named as a sub at St James' Park last night. It is all a bit of a mess, unfortunately.
Albion have had some previous representation in this tournament:-
* In 2019 Leo Ostigard captained the Norway side and scored in their third group match, a 12-0 victory over Honduras when a lad called Erling Haaland scored NINE goals (whatever became of him?)
* In January 2017 Fikayo Tomori joined us on loan from Chelsea. In May/June he played in all seven matches as England won the tournament, beating Venezuela 1-0 in the final.
* In 2013 Jake Forster-Caskey was named in the provisional 35-man listing but failed to make the final England squad.
