Rio Ngumoha, despite being called up for England's pre-World Cup training, will not be able to participate in the upcoming World Cup for England. But we could potentially expect some game time in the upcoming friendlies pre World Cup.
Rio Ngumoha is one of several youngsters who were called up to train with the Three Lions in Miami on Monday despite not being named by head coach Thomas Tuchel in the final 26-man squad.
With the squad needing reinforcements given the late arrival of Crystal Palace and Arsenal players following their European final commitments, the 17-year-old Liverpool winger has been joined by Bournemouth's Alex Scott, Josh King of Fulham and Ethan Nwaneri, who was on loan from Arsenal to Marseille.
Rio Ngumoha Battling With Wesley Fofana of ChelseaHowever, only Alex Scott can be called up to the World Cup squad in case of injury because he was named in the provisional 55-man squad required by FIFA, unlike the other three players.
FIFA competition rules state that players must be on the initial list to be called up to the main squad, with teams allowed to make changes for injury or illness up to 24 hours before their initial match.
England begin their Group L campaign against Croatia on Wednesday, June 17. Once their tournament has started, only goalkeepers may be replaced due to injury or illness. Brighton's Jason Steele has also travelled with the England squad as a training goalkeeper.
Regardless, Rio Ngumoha will be hoping to impress Tuchel should he be given an opportunity in England's next two warm-up matches against New Zealand on Saturday in Tampa and against Costa Rica next Wednesday in Orlando. This means Liverpool do not have a player in the England squad at a major tournament for the first time since 1986.
Author's Take
It has been a breakthrough season for the young Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha. 19 appearances and 5 starts in all competitions, with 2 goals and an assist, is very impressive considering the fact he's only 17 years of age. Captivating the Liverpool fans to such an extent that the Liverpool head coach, Arne Slot, was booed at Anfield when he subbed off Rio against Chelsea.
Despite getting fewer minutes than he deserved, whenever he started or got subbed on, he had the Anfield crowd on the edge of their seat. Liverpool fans can only look towards the future with more optimism, certainly with more hope than they had a few days ago when Arne Slot was still the coach.
With Andoni Iraola coming in, another fresh start comes with him, and given his history of trusting the youth players at Bournemouth, that's some good news that the fans will love to hear, and it bodes well for the young Liverpool players, especially Rio Ngumoha.
