Noah prepares for International FIFA U-17 World Cup

Fifth Form pupil and talented footballer Noah D is celebrating after being called up to play in the Men’s U-17 New Zealand squad for the FIFA World Cup warm-up tournament in September.

Noah, who is only 15, will be joining the 18-strong squad to compete on the international stage against teams from Japan, Venezuela and Niigata.

Noah also plays centre-back for West Bromwich Albion and has been playing for the club since he was 6 years old and a pupil at King’s Hawford. He is also celebrating being called up to his club’s U18 team over the summer and made his starting debut last weekend.

Noah added, “It didn’t really sink in when I got the news, but now I’m really excited and looking forward to joining the New Zealand Camp and playing football in a different country with a different team at a much higher level. To be selected as one of the 18 players is an amazing feeling and very surreal. It’s going to be an incredible experience, and I’m going to put in my very best effort.”

The sign-up for New Zealand came about as Noah recently acquired dual nationality for New Zealand as his mum was born there. Word spread about his talents, and the New Zealand coaches were keen to see more of Noah in action. Noah added, “Things happened really quickly and before I knew it the New Zealand coaches had seen footage of me playing and then got in touch.”

The warm-up tournament is a preparation event for the FIFA U-17 World Cup which takes place later this year. It gives the New Zealand coaches the opportunity to see how the team and individuals are tracking ahead of naming their squad for the World Cup in a few months’ time.

King’s Worcester’s Foundation Director of Sport, Jonny Mason said, “Noah is an outstanding all-round talented sportsman. He is so very dedicated to his sport, and it’s been a privilege to watch him develop and get to where he is today. It’s an incredible achievement to be playing for an U18 Premier League Team and even more so to be selected to play internationally. We wish him all the best and look forward to cheering him on from afar.”