Academy internationals: Majni eyes U20 AFCON, Benamar begins U19 Euros prep

Club

3 hours ago

Several Crystal Palace Academy players will swap Palace colours for their countries during the September and October international window, with call-ups ranging from Under-16s to Under-20s.

Taha Majni will link up with Morocco Under-20s for the UNAF Tournament in Egypt, which doubles as qualification for the 2027 U20 Africa Cup of Nations.

Five nations – Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria and Libya – will compete in Ismailia between 21st September and 6th October, with two qualification places available for next year’s tournament in Ghana.

Majni was part of Morocco’s FIFA U20 World Cup-winning squad in Chile last year, aged just 17, and has since progressed to the Under-23s, earning two caps in March.

Dean Benamar has been named in England Under-19s’ 24-man squad for four fixtures as the Young Lions prepare for UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifying later this year.

Ben Futcher’s side begin against Republic of Ireland at St. George’s Park on Friday, 25th September (19:00 BST), before travelling to Spain for three games at Marbella Football Centre against Norway, USA and Belgium.

Benamar heads into camp in fine international form, having scored in each of his last three appearances for the Young Lions across the March and May windows, finding the net against Croatia, Greece and Cyprus.

Lucca Benetton has also been selected by England, with the 16-year-old included in a 28-player Under-17s squad for four fixtures.

It caps a superb start to the season for Benetton, who travelled to the Como Cup with the first team, has trained regularly under Pierre Sage and was named on the bench for Palace’s maiden UEFA Europa League fixture against Lech Poznań.

England begin against Republic of Ireland at St. George’s Park on Wednesday, 23rd September (18:30 BST), before heading to Germany for a three-game tournament against Israel, Venezuela and the hosts.

Having first stepped up to the U17s in April, Benetton is yet to make his international debut after being an unused substitute in his previous appearance.

Joel Drakes-Thomas was initially selected for England Under-18s’ UEFA Friendship Cup campaign in Switzerland, but has since withdrawn through injury.

Alfie Mulvenna has earned a Northern Ireland Under-17s call-up after quickly establishing himself as a regular at the heart of Palace’s U18s defence.

The centre-back, who joined from Larne over the summer as part of the 2026/27 scholarship intake, will travel to Spain for friendlies against Sweden, Switzerland and Wales.

The fixtures will serve as preparation for UEFA Under-17 European Championship qualifying in November.

Isaac Ogunrinde earned his first international call-up with Republic of Ireland U16s after becoming Palace’s youngest U18 player of the season when he made his debut against Southampton at just 14.

The forward started both friendlies against France, playing just under an hour in each as Ireland suffered defeats by 4-0 and 2-1.

Rosen Modev has also received an international call-up after making his U18s debut against Fulham last weekend.

The 16-year-old ‘keeper has been selected by Bulgaria U17s for upcoming friendlies against Estonia and Malta.

Keep track of how our Academy players get on this international window below!

All times are UK.

England Under-19s – Dean Benamar

Friday, 25th September (19:00 BST): England U19s v Republic of Ireland
Tuesday, 29th September (15:00 BST): England U19s v Norway
Friday, 2nd October (15:00 BST): England U19s v USA
Monday, 5th October (12:00 BST): England U19s v Belgium

England Under-17s – Lucca Benetton

Wednesday, 23rd September (18:30 BST): England U17s v Republic of Ireland
Monday, 28th September (15:00 BST): England U17s v Israel
Thursday, 1st October (22:30 BST): England U17s v Venezuela
Sunday, 4th October (23:00 BST): Germany v England U17s

Morocco Under-20s – Taha Majni

Sunday, 27th September: Tunisia U20 v Morocco U20
Wednesday, 30th September: Morocco U20 v Algeria
Saturday, 3rd October: Egypt U20 v Morocco U20
Tuesday, 6th October: Libya U20 v Morocco U20

Northern Ireland Under-17s – Alfie Mulvenna

Wednesday, 23rd September (16:00 BST): Northern Ireland U17s v Sweden U17s
Friday, 25th September (16:00 BST): Switzerland U17s v Northern Ireland U17s
Monday, 28th September (11:30 BST): Wales U17s v Northern Ireland U17s

Republic of Ireland Under-16s – Isaac Ogunrinde

Tuesday, 15th September: France 4-0 Republic of Ireland U16s (Ogunrinde played 57 minutes before being substituted for Tom Casey)
Thursday, 17th September: France 2-1 Republic of Ireland U16s (Ogunrinde started once more and was substituted on the hour mark)

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