Jump directly to the content
Feature
Indian summer

Jadon Sancho, Josh Sargent, Abel Ruiz… five stars set to take the Under-17 World Cup by storm

Tournament kicks-off in India this weekend, with England taking on Chile on Sunday, before games with Mexico and Iraq

THE Under-17 World Cup kicks-off in India this month, with England looking to win yet another historic crown.

The Three Lions' Under-20s already got their hands on the trophy at their World Cup in South Korea this summer.

 England will be hoping to win their second World Cup of the year in India
7
England will be hoping to win their second World Cup of the year in IndiaCredit: EPA
 The Under-17 World Cup will take place in India in October 2017
7
The Under-17 World Cup will take place in India in October 2017Credit: EPA

Now the Under-17s, led by Steve Cooper, head to India to take on 23 other nations vying to be crowned global champions.

With big names including Germany, Spain, France and Brazil all in the tournament, it will be a tough ask.

And the senior side were hardly inspiring as they limped into the 2018 World Cup with a late 1-0 win over Slovenia on Thursday.

But which stars are set to take the Under-17 World Cup by storm? Check out five of the tournament's biggest names, below...

JADON SANCHO

 England youngster Jadon Sancho will certainly be one to watch in India
7
England youngster Jadon Sancho will certainly be one to watch in IndiaCredit: Sportsfile

Age: 17

Country: England

Club: Borussia Dortmund

FORMER Manchester City forward Sancho is certainly the biggest name on England's books.

The Three Lions youngster signed for Borussia Dortmund in a surprise deal this summer.

Not only that, Sancho was given then honour of taking over the No7 jersey left vacant by Ousmane Dembele, who joined Barcelona this summer.

Sancho was impressive in the England Under-17s' European Championship campaign in May and is expected to be handed the keys to the Three Lions' attack again in India.

England finished as runners-up to Spain at the tournament in Croatia, where Sancho netted five goals, behind only Germany's Jann-Fiete Arp and France's Amine Gouiri.

JANN-FIETE ARP

 Jann-Fiete Arp was on fire at the Under-17 European Championship in May
7
Jann-Fiete Arp was on fire at the Under-17 European Championship in MayCredit: Getty

Age: 17

Country: Germany

Club: Hamburg

AS previously mentioned, Arp was on fire at the Under-17 European Championship, scoring seven goals as Germany lost to champions Spain on penalties in the semi-finals.

The Hamburg youngster scored two hat-tricks in his four games in Croatia - against Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Ireland.

Arp recently made history domestically too, becoming the first player play and score in the Bundesliga having been born in the 21st century.

He'll be one to keep an eye on in India this autumn.

AMINE GOUIRI

 Amine Gouiri was the top scorer at the under-17 European Championship
7
Amine Gouiri was the top scorer at the under-17 European ChampionshipCredit: Getty

Age: 17

Country: France

Club: Lyon

TOP scorer at the tournament in May, expect Gouiri to thrive once again at the World Cup in India.

French star Gouiri scored EIGHT goals in the tournament, despite France being knocked out by neighbours Spain in the quarter-finals.

The youngster also helped booked a place at the World Cup after scoring the only goal in the 1-0 play-off clash against Hungary in May.

So talented is the 17-year-old, reports suggest European giants including Manchester United, Chelsea and Juventus are monitoring the forward's progress.

JOSH SARGENT

 Josh Sargent has already scored at the tournament, in the 3-0 opening game win
7
Josh Sargent has already scored at the tournament, in the 3-0 opening game winCredit: Getty

Age: 17

Country: USA

Club: St Louis Scott Gallagher

SARGENT is tipped for big things in world football, having taken the Under-20 World Cup by storm earlier this summer.

At just 17-years-old, the American netted twice on his debut against Ecuador... the youngster US player to score in the tournament's history.

Sargent also scored five times in helping his nation qualify for the World Cup in India, with a hatful of European clubs now chasing his signature.

The American even scored in the USA's opening game of the tournament on Friday, in a 3-0 win over the hosts.

ABEL RUIZ

 Abel Ruiz led Spain to the Under-17 European Championship crown in May
7
Abel Ruiz led Spain to the Under-17 European Championship crown in MayCredit: AFP

Age: 17

Country: Spain

Club: Barcelona

AFTER four goals as Spain ran out winners at the European Championships in Croatia, big things are expected of Barca ace Ruiz.

Another exciting prospect out of La Masia, Ruiz has been playing at the Under-17 level for two years already.

The Spaniard recently scored his first goal for Barcelona B - against Granada - as he works his way into the first-team reckoning.

Ruiz will definitely be one to watch in India...

Topics