A unique football event is set to unfold in England this June. It is a tournament similar to the World Cup but exclusively for the legends of the game, all aged 35 and above. The organizers, the Elite Players Group, have handpicked teams from eight nations—each, seasoned players of the World Cup in years past. We’re talking about England, Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Uruguay.
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Leading the charge for each country are captains who themselves have etched their names in football history. England’s squad will march under the banner held by Steve McManaman, while legends like Esteban Cambiasso and Christian Karembeu will captain Argentina and France, respectively.
And the star power doesn’t end there. The squads shine with the names of former Ballon d’Or winners: Michael Owen, Kaka, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, and Fabio Cannavaro. England’s team alone is a roll call of football royalty: Ashley Cole, Joe Cole, Rio Ferdinand, David James, Frank Lampard, and Robbie Fowler.
Other football greats set to grace the pitch include Cafu, Roberto Carlos, Thierry Henry, and many more. Each game, set to last 70 minutes with the flexibility of roll-on substitutes, promises to be a showcase of skill, nostalgia, and sheer footballing joy.
Date for the Over-35s World Cup
The quarter-finals of the tournament will kick off on June 4 and 5, leading up to the final on June 11. It’s a careful planning to avoid clashes with the Champions League final and the kickoff of Euro 2024, ensuring a smooth celebration of football’s finest veterans.
Brazilian legends you should look out for in the competition
Asides, Kaka, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Cafu, and Roberto Carlos, we have Emerson wearing the captain’s armband for the Brazilian squad.
How will the Over-35s World Cup be played?
It sticks to the traditional setup with teams of eleven players each. However, there’s a twist to the game’s duration; instead of the standard ninety minutes, each match will be trimmed down to seventy minutes. This change comes with the added flexibility of making substitutions at any point during the match, drawing from the full squad of eighteen players.
