Linfield FC and its Academy are pleased to announce that five of our players have been selected for the national Under-17 side in the UEFA U17 Euro 2024 elite round qualifiers later this month.

The UEFA European Under-17 Championship elite round features 32 teams split into eight groups of four.

The 32 teams will compete for 15 spots alongside hosts Cyprus in the finals from 20 May to 5 June. The eight elite round group winners and seven runners-up with the best records will qualify for the final tournament.

England are top seeds in Group 1 in the elite round, while France are second seeds and Hungary third seeds. The games are being staged at St George’s Park, The FA’s national training centre, later this month.

Northern Ireland’s first game will be against England at SGP on Wednesday 20 March (3pm kick-off), while matchday two sees them take on France at SGP on Saturday 23 March (7pm start). Their final game in the mini tournament is against the Hungarians at the same venue on Tuesday 26 March (7pm).

Call Ups:

• Matty Orr (First call up)
• Alex Watson
• Callum Leacock
• Ceadach O’Neill
• Braiden Graham
• Kenzie Beattie (Stand-by)

Linfield once again have the most players selected from one club. Former Academy players Blain McClure, Callum Burnside, Dylan Stitt and Cole Brannigan who have since moved across the water have also made the squad.

Congratulations to all players and best of luck on international duty.