World Cup 2026: Why Nigerian-born Liverpool star, Rio Ngumoha is not eligible to play for England

Liverpool winger, Rio Ngumoha volition not beryllium capable to instrumentality portion successful the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer, adjacent if England requires a last-minute changes.

This is owed to the information that the 17-year-old was not listed successful Thomas Tuchel’s 55-man provisional squad, a determination made astir a period ago.

Although helium was not included successful England’s provisional squad, Tuchel opted to see Ngumoha arsenic portion of the grooming players successful his 26-man World Cup roster heading to the United States. 

This squad besides features different promising talents specified arsenic Alex Scott, Josh King, and Ethan Nwaneri, who were conscionable determination for grooming purposes.

Rio Ngumoha made his elder debut for the Three Lions aft coming connected arsenic a substitute astatine half-time during his country’s 1-0 triumph implicit New Zealand successful an planetary affable connected June 6.

Consequently, the Liverpool subordinate became the fifth-youngest idiosyncratic to debut for England. Furthermore, helium garnered attraction by winning the Player of the Match award.

Despite his commendable performance, Ngumoha volition not person the accidental to play for Thomas Tuchel and his squad astatine the World Cup successful the lawsuit of an wounded oregon unwellness earlier thei...