England head into the Under-17 World Cup with Phil Foden’s words as inspiration.
The Young Lions are aiming to become the third England team to win the World Cup.
They landed in Indonesia last week and will take on New Caledonia at the Jakarta International Stadium on Saturday.
Six years ago, Manchester City player Foden was part of a team that included Conor Gallagher, Jadon Sancho and Morgan Gibbs-White to win the World Cup in India. He scored twice in the 5-2 final win over Spain and was named player of the tournament.
He is now part of a montage that includes the Under-17 title and the Under-21 Euro 2023 triumph this summer, which the current crop featured in their qualifying campaign.
“We heard from players like Phil about his memories of that tournament in 2017 and how he felt it helped and developed him on his journey,” coach Ryan Harry told the PA news agency from his base in Jakarta .
“Winning the World Championship at any level is a huge achievement. The fantastic job done by the players and staff is a real highlight not only for this age group but for many people at St George’s Park.
Congratulations, @England!
2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup champions. #FIFAU17WC pic.twitter.com/G9mE0TI2tc
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) October 28, 2017
“You are never too far away from hearing or talking about success. This age group repeated its success at the Euros this summer.
“This is what our group strives for. The message was about being together.”
England also face Iran on Tuesday and defending champions Brazil next Friday in Group C.
Confirming our #YoungLions lineup for the upcoming #U17WC in Indonesia!
— England (@England) November 2, 2023
The squad includes Ethan Nwaneri, who became the youngest Arsenal and Premier League player when he made his debut aged 15 and 181 days in 2022, Chelsea’s Ted Curd, on loan from Hashtag United, and Chris Rigg , who scored on his Sunderland debut in September. .
For Harry, it is the latest step in his coaching career after he was forced to retire at 27 due to a nerve problem in his leg, linked to several injuries including a broken leg and a sprained calf.
The former defender is Invincible, even if he doesn’t consider himself one, after making his first Arsenal start in the 6-1 win over Southampton that started the Gunners’ 49-game unbeaten run in 2003.
After retiring after four years and 86 games at Bournemouth, he coached at Poole and Wimborne Town while working with the Cherries first team under Eddie Howe before returning to Arsenal’s academy. in 2013.
“I wouldn’t say there was a hole that needed to be filled. Any person who has to retire at a young age has an adjustment period and I was very lucky to have been a coach before I had to retire,” he says, working with 11-year-old Bukayo Saka and Emil Smith Rowe when he was a teenager.
“My passion continued, but in a different direction. You have ambitions as a player, but when you’re a coach you see it a little differently.”