The Over 35s World Cup, organised by the EPG (Elite Player’s Group) is set to deliver some mouth-watering lineups – here is everything that you need to know about the upcoming tournament!
What/when is the Over 35s World Cup?
The Over 35s World Cup is the brainchild of the EPG, which was aided in its creation by representatives of the 8 world champion countries. Captains of each of these 8 countries are founders of the EPG.
Those are of course, England (Steve McManaman), France (Christian Karembeu), Spain (Michel Salgado), Argentina (Esteban Cambiasso), Germany (Kevin Kuranyi), Uruguay (Diego Lugano), Italy (Marco Materazzi), and Brazil (Emerson).
EPG was created with the intention of allowing top-flight athletes to continue playing competitive football after their initial professional careers have ended.
As such, the organisation has announced the creation of the Over 35s World Cup – which will be competed by the 8 world champion countries.
The tournament is set to be played in England over the course of a week in June, with only players over 35 who have been capped by their nation, or had over 100 top-flight appearances eligible to play.
As such, the upcoming Over 35s World Cup is set to produce some mouth-watering lineups from the 8 nations. Let’s take a look at how each nation could line up in June!
What will be the format?
There will be a few changes to the tournament in comparison to other standards of professional football matches.
The first being that the matches will be held over 70 minutes, rather than the conventional 90, with roll-on subs allowed over the entire 18-man match day squads.
It is thought that these two changes have been made in regard to health and safety aspects of older players taking to the pitch once more.
It has been reported that the quarter finals of the Over 35s World Cup will be held on the 4th and 5th of June, with semi-finals coming on the 8th, and the Final on the 11th.
Who could play in the Over 35s World Cup…
England’s potential side at the Over 35s World Cup will certainly have British fans excited about the upcoming tournament.
In goal, England would be eligible to field David James, with a defensive lineup of Gary Neville, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, and Ashley Cole potentially in front of him.
In the midfield, the Three Lions would be able to play Joe Cole, Frank Lampard, and Steven Gerrard alongside team captain Steve McManaman.
Upfront, England could well field a Liverpool legends duo in the form of Ballon d’Or winner Michael Owen, alongside Robbie Fowler!
As if the tournament hadn’t pricked the ears of football fans worldwide already, the England legends named above could be set to face off against a plethora of international legends of the game.
Thierry Henry and Marcel Desailly are names that have been thrown in the mix for France, with Ronaldhino, Rivaldo, Roberto Carlos, Kaka, and Cafu possible names that could complete a star-studded Brazil side.
Argentina would be eligible to play Hernan Crespo and Pablo Zabaleta alongside club captain Cambiasso, with Spain able to field Carlos Puyol and David Villa alongside Salgado.
Sami Khedira and Mesut Ozil have each been rumoured to be placed in the German over 35s midfield, and Diego Forlan has been tipped to front Uruguay’s side!
Italy have no shortage of footballing legends, and the likes of Fabio Cannavaro and Francesco Totti have already been mentioned to join Materazzi’s over 35s squad!
With the tournament just 4 months away, we will update you as the 18-man Over 35s World Cup squads are announced in full!
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