U21s preview: Palace host PSG in International Cup opener
Crystal Palace Under-21s begin their 2026/27 Premier League International Cup campaign against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday (2nd September, KO: 19:00 BST) – and there’s plenty to look forward to at Borough Sports Ground.
Story so far...
Darren Powell’s U21s have made an unbeaten start to the 2026/27 campaign, drawing 1-1 with Arsenal before securing their first victory with a 2-0 triumph at Aston Villa on Friday night.
First-team star Zavier Gozo opened his account for the season at Arsenal, finishing a swift counter-attack to put Palace ahead, before the hosts levelled in the second half. The Young Eagles pushed for a winner late on but had to settle for a point.
Palace started Bank Holiday weekend by producing a disciplined display at Villa. Harry Lee was outstanding as the hosts applied sustained pressure after the interval, making a string of excellent saves before Benji Casey broke the deadlock against the run of play.
Adler Nascimento then put the result beyond doubt with a superb late finish.
Those opening two fixtures came in a new-look Premier League 2, which now features all 31 Category One academies in a single division, with each side playing 20 matches before the top 16 progress to a single-elimination play-off.
Now Palace turn their attention to the International Cup, a competition that has already delivered a memorable chapter in the Academy’s history.
After finishing runners-up to Jong PSV in 22/23, the Young Eagles went one better the following season, defeating the Dutch side to lift the trophy.
Palace’s title defence ended at the group stage in 24/25, while last season they progressed to the quarter-finals, where Real Sociedad got the better of them.
There will be hopes that Powell’s side can go even further this time around, beginning with Wednesday night’s intriguing test against PSG!
Our opposition – PSG
They don’t come much bigger in European football than PSG.
The French giants were named France’s best academy for 25/26 by the French Football Federation, showcasing the remarkable conveyor belt of talent coming through their ranks.
Ten academy graduates have featured for PSG’s first team, while 12 have played in the UEFA Champions League and more than 20 have represented France at youth level.
The club’s reach extends well beyond Paris, too, with more than 30 players aged under 23 developed by PSG now under professional contract with clubs in the top two divisions across Europe’s top 10 leagues.
The Espoirs have already had a taste of English opposition this season, beating Manchester City 1-0 in a pre-season friendly, and will be hoping for another positive result on English soil on Wednesday.
Last season, PSG finished fourth in their International Cup group. They began with a 2-0 win over Newcastle United before beating Chelsea 3-1, with Housni scoring twice.
A 2-2 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion left them needing victory at Nottingham Forest on the final matchday to progress, but a 2-0 defeat brought their campaign to an end - they’ll be aiming to go one better this time around.
Premier League International Cup explained
Fancy some European football? You’re in the right place.
Launched in 14/15, the Premier League International Cup gives Premier League academies the chance to go head-to-head with some of the best young sides from across Europe.
The 26/27 competition features the top 16 Premier League 2 sides from last season alongside 16 invited European clubs.
The 32 teams are split into four groups of eight, with four PL2 sides and four overseas teams in each.
Every club plays four group-stage matches, all hosted in England, with the top two in each group advancing to the quarter-finals.
Likely line-up
Expected PSG line-up: Vignaud, Zague, Mfutila, Olax (c), Bastaraud, Diyinu Nzinga, Ghalleb, N’Guessan, Nsoki, Bezeme, Domingos.
Team news
PSG’s International Cup squad is their U21 side, known as the Espoirs. It features players progressing through the club’s academy towards senior football.
Several members of the group have already gained experience at Under-19 level as they continue their development in Paris.
Last time out…
Palace put PSG to the sword in their last meeting, running out 7-3 winners in the International Cup group stages at Dulwich Hamlet’s Champion Hill in September 2022.
Paddy McCarthy was in charge of the Young Eagles, with John-Kymani Gordon leading the charge with a hat-trick.
Victor Akinwale, David Omilabu, Maliq Cadogan and Fionn Mooney were also on target as Palace extended their unbeaten run to nine matches in all competitions.
It also sent the Young Eagles top of their International Cup group. Can history repeat itself on Wednesday?
Key player – Fabio Domingos
Fabio Domingos is one to watch for the visitors, with the Luxembourg-born winger joining PSG from Metz in 2025 after representing Luxembourg at youth level and Cape Verde’s senior side.
Domingos was part of PSG’s U19 side last season, helping them win the Championnat National U19 title for a third successive year.
He has featured for both the U19s and U21s this season, continuing his progression through the Parisian academy.
The manager – Jean-François Vulliez
Jean-François Vulliez leads PSG’s Under-21s and the Frenchman brings extensive experience in youth development, having spent more than a decade at Lyon, including six years as the club’s academy director.
He later moved into senior football, working as an assistant coach at Lyon before taking up the same role at Danish side AC Horsens.
Vulliez joined PSG last summer.
How to follow
The match will be streamed LIVE on Palace TV+ on Wednesday, with coverage beginning at 18:45 BST ahead of the 19:00 BST kick-off. Find out more and subscribe here.
Supporters can also follow live commentary on our Academy X page, with a full match report and reaction published shortly after full-time in our Academy news section.
Highlights and extended reaction will be available on Palace TV+.
Match details
Crystal Palace U21s v Paris Saint-Germain U21s
- Wednesday, 2nd September
- 19:00 BST
- Premier League International Cup
- Borough Sports Ground
Match ticket prices
- Adults (21-64): £5
- Young Adults (17-21): £1
- Seniors (65+): £1
- Juniors (2-16): £1
- Academy Founder Members: Free
- Adult Gold, Junior Gold & Season Ticket+ Holders: Free
Tickets are available here and will be issued as PDF print-at-home tickets at the point of sale.
Please note: one free ticket per Membership/Season Ticket+ Holder.