Young Lions name squad for ICC Men's U19s World Cup

The England Men U19s selectors have confirmed the 15-player squad for the 2026 ICC Men’s U19s World Cup, which begins in Namibia and Zimbabwe next month.

England Men U19s World Cup squad:

Thomas Rew (Somerset – captain)

Farhan Ahmed (Nottinghamshire – vice-captain)

Ralphie Albert (Surrey)

Ben Dawkins (Kent)

Caleb Falconer (Middlesex)

Ali Farooq (Leicestershire)

Alex French (Surrey)

Alex Green (Leicestershire)

Luke Hands (Lancashire)

Manny Lumsden (Hampshire)

Ben Mayes (Hampshire)

James Minto (Durham)

Isaac Mohammed (Worcestershire)

Joe Moores (Lancashire)

Sebastian Morgan (Middlesex)

Somerset wicketkeeper-batter Thomas Rew returns to captain the squad after he was called up to the England Lions for the first time on their recent tour of Australia.

Nottinghamshire all-rounder Farhan Ahmed, who deputised as captain in Rew’s absence during the seven-match Youth ODI series against West Indies in Grenada, retains a leadership role as vice-captain. Uncapped Leicestershire left-arm spinner Ali Farooq has earned his first Young Lions call-up.

England Men U19s Head Coach, Mike Yardy, said: “This is an amazing opportunity for the players we have selected to not only wear an England shirt at a World Cup but also to go out and try and do something special.

"We have a balanced squad with a core group of players who already have county experience and who have developed a camaraderie while playing together for the U19s that will serve them well during the tournament.

"I really want the players to enjoy the opportunity to play at a World Cup, in a beautiful country like Zimbabwe, and to embrace the chance to compete against different countries and show their quality."

The Young Lions will be based in Zimbabwe and have been drawn in Group C of the 16-team tournament. They open their campaign against Pakistan in Harare on Friday 16 January, before matches against co-hosts Zimbabwe and Scotland.

The top three nations from each of the four groups qualify for the ‘Super Six’ stage, with the final to be staged at the Harare Sports Club on Friday 6 February.

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Editor’s notes

England Men U19s World Cup fixtures – all start times are 0730 (GMT):

Friday 16 January: England Men U19s v Pakistan Men U19s - Takashinga Sports Club, Harare

Sunday 18 January: England Men U19s v Zimbabwe Men U19s - Takashinga Sports Club, Harare

Wednesday 21 January: England Men U19s v Scotland Men U19s - Takashinga Sports Club, Harare

2026 ICC U19s Men’s World Cup groups:

Group A: Australia, Ireland, Japan, Sri Lanka.

Group B: Bangladesh, India, New Zealand, United States of America.

Group C: England, Pakistan, Scotland, Zimbabwe.

Group D: Afghanistan, South Africa, Tanzania, West Indies.