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Topics: Ronaldinho, Brazil, England, Football World Cup
Jack Kenmare
Topics: Ronaldinho, Brazil, England, Football World Cup
A list of players that are being lined-up to feature in the much-anticipated Over 35s World Cup has been released, including Ronaldinho, David Villa and Thierry Henry.
An eight-team tournament involving England, Argentina, Brazil, France, Spain, Germany, Italy and Uruguay will take place in northern England this summer.
Newcastle has emerged as the preferred city, according to a new report from the Daily Mail, after organisers Elite Players Group – a group of former players and businessmen – held positive talks over St James' Park hosting all seven games.
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In terms of timings, the quarter-finals are scheduled to be played on June 4 and June 5 at the unconfirmed venue, with both semi-finals on June 8 before the final on June 11.
Teams will also able to use roll-on substitutes to make use of their 18-man squads as the 11-a-side games will be decided over a 70-minute period.
As a rule, only players who have been capped by their country or made 100 top-flight appearances are allowed to take part, while founders of EPG will captain each country.
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Steve McManaman will lead an England team that are looking to enlist Michael Owen, Ashley Cole, Joe Cole, Rio Ferdinand, David James, Frank Lampard and Robbie Fowler.
The other captains include: Esteban Cambiasso (Argentina), Emerson (Brazil), Christian Karembeu (France), Kevin Kuranyi (Germany), Marco Materazzi (Italy), Michel Salgado (Spain) and Diego Lugano (Uruguay).
As far as confirmed names go, the above report has so far named 32 players that will take part, including Ballon d'Or, World Cup and Champions League winners galore.
You can see that list in full below:
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England: David James; Rio Ferdinand, Ashley Cole; Joe Cole, Frank Lampard; Steve McManaman (C), Robbie Fowler, Michael Owen.
Brazil: Roberto Carlos, Cafu; Emerson (C), Kaka; Ronaldinho, Rivaldo.
France: Marcel Desailly; Christian Karembeu (C), Thierry Henry.
Argentina: Pablo Zabaleta; Esteban Cambiasso (C); Hernan Crespo.
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Spain: Carles Puyol, Michel Salgado (C); David Villa.
Germany: Kevin Kuranyi (C), Sami Khedira; Mesut Ozil.
Italy: Marco Materazzi (C), Fabio Cannavaro; Francesco Totti.
Uruguay: Diego Lugano (C); Diego Forlan
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The EPG are keen to make the Over 35s World Cup an annual event. Judging by the reaction from the initial news, it will be well-received by fans around the world.
"We will start with this event, but we would like to grow," said Matias Sarasola, the EPG president. "Tennis and golf have senior or masters categories and that is what we are creating.
"We want to extend a footballer’s professional life. It is to give them the opportunity to continue competing.
"The most important thing is all of them want to play for glory. When I have been with former players, they say they want to play again but not just in an exhibition match. They want to play to win."