The much-anticipated draw for the 2023/24 Premier League International Cup has finally been unveiled.
We salute these competitors
Showcasing the very best
As the young footballers gear up for this monumental event, it’s evident that for many, this is not just a competition but the realization of lifelong dreams.
While it marks an incredible achievement, it also signifies the start of a new journey, one filled with opportunities, challenges, and the chance to etch their names in the annals of football history.
The Dream Begins:
2023/24 Premier League International Cup Draw Announced
Reigning champions, PSV, find themselves in a challenging group alongside English heavyweights such as Blackburn Rovers, Leeds United, Nottingham Forest, and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Europe is strongly represented by Sparta Praha, Hertha Berlin, and Nice.
A Pinnacle for Young Talents
This esteemed tournament, launched in the 2014/15 season, provides a golden opportunity for England’s elite Academy players. It offers them the unparalleled experience of competing against top development squads from across Europe. It’s not just a game; it’s a dream come true for these young talents who have aspired to such heights throughout their lives. Moreover, the Premier League International Cup is a precursor, a taste of the rigors and challenges they would face in UEFA club competitions in their burgeoning careers.
Understanding the Format
The competition sees 24 formidable teams battling it out. They are segregated into three groups, each comprising eight teams. Intriguingly, in the group stage, PL2 clubs play against their international counterparts but don’t face off against each other. Similarly, international squads don’t square off against their own kind. From these clashes, the top two from each group, along with the best two third-placed teams, will proceed to the electrifying quarter-finals. As the intensity ratchets up in the knockout stages, ties are settled in single matches. If teams are inseparable after the regulation 90 minutes, extra time, followed by penalties, will decide the victors. All these adrenaline-pumping matches will be hosted on English soil.
The Composition of Dreams
Each team in the Premier League International Cup predominantly consists of U-23 players. However, there’s room for slight variation. Each squad can include up to three outfield players over this age limit, but the goalkeepers remain unaffected by this criterion.
Group Stage Matchups
| PL2 | International | |
|---|---|---|
| Group A | Blackburn Rovers | Sparta Praha |
| Leeds United | Hertha BSC | |
| Nott’m Forest | Nice | |
| Wolves | PSV Eindhoven | |
| Group B | Brighton | Celtic |
| Chelsea | Dinamo Zagreb | |
| Southampton | Olympique Lyonnais | |
| West Ham | Valencia | |
| Group C | Crystal Palace | Monaco |
| Everton | Athletic Club | |
| Fulham | Feyenoord | |
| Liverpool | Benfica |
