The Ireland Men’s Under-17s will step up their preparations for the 2026 FIFA Men’s Under-17 World Cup by playing three International Friendlies in Spain.

Ireland already know their Group I opponents for the World Cup in Qatar as they will face Brazil (November 21st), Costa Rica (November 24th) and Tanzania (November 27th), while hoping to advance to the knockout stages.

The 10-day camp in Spain should prove to be beneficial to International Lead Coach John Cotter and International Coach Mark Connors – who will also be joined by Joey O’Brien as an Assistant Coach – as they work with a group of talented players by facing off against USA, Netherlands and Norway.

There is a first call-up for midfielder Jayden Goad who recently made his SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division debut with UCD, who are one of eight League of Ireland clubs represented in the squad.

Ireland Men’s Under-17 Squad
Goalkeepers: George Moloney (Southampton), Darragh Brunton (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Xander Grieves (Southampton)
Defenders: Sean Spaight (Dundalk), Maxim Afonin (Shamrock Rovers), Danny Burke (Shamrock Rovers), Aidan Gabbidon (Sligo Rovers), Glen Ilunga (Burnley), Josh O’Connor (St. Patrick’s Athletic)
Midfielders: Cillian Murphy (Cork City), Ryan Sheridan (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Josh O’Dwyer (RB Salzburg), Kian Quigley (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Tom McGrath (Cork City), Caleb Sweeney (Brondby), Jayden Goad (UCD)
Forwards: Hugh Martin (Bohemians), Desmond Armstrong (FC Lorient), Joe Byrne (St. Patrick’s Athletic), David Dunne (AS Monaco), Ben Mahon (Shamrock Rovers), Joey Wuna (Shelbourne)

International Friendlies
Wednesday, September 30th | USA MU17 v Ireland MU17 | Banus Football Centre, Spain | KO 11:00
Saturday, October 3rd | Ireland MU17 v Netherlands MU17 | La Quinta, Spain | KO 15:00
Tuesday, October 6th | Ireland MU17 v Norway MU17 | Marbella Football Centre, Spain | KO 12:00