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Take our money! Ronaldinho, Thierry Henry & Mesut Ozil headline blockbuster line-up for Over-35s World Cup - set to be hosted in England

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  • Over-35s World Cup set to be hosted in June
  • Several legends to take part in the tournament
  • Will be held in the window between Champions League final & Euro 2024
  • Thierry Henry Getty

    WHAT HAPPENED?

    According to Daily Mail,an over-35s World Cup-style football tournament featuring legendary players is scheduled to take place in June in England. The competition, organized by the Elite Players Group (EPG), comprises eight teams: England, Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Uruguay, all past champions of the FIFA World Cup.

    Matches will take place in the same stadium over one week at the beginning of June, with the venue still being finalized, while some of the venues of the Premier League's prominent northern clubs are also being considered. Only players aged 35 or above, capped by their country, or with 100 top-flight appearances are eligible to participate.

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  • THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Captains of each country are EPG founders, with Steve McManaman leading England and other skippers including Esteban Cambiasso (Argentina), Emerson (Brazil), Christian Karembeu (France), Kevin Kuranyi (Germany), Marco Materazzi (Italy), Michel Salgado (Spain), and Diego Lugano (Uruguay.

    Provisional squads feature former Ballon d’Or winners like Michael Owen, Kaka, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, and Fabio Cannavaro. England's roster includes Ashley Cole, Joe Cole, Rio Ferdinand, David James, Frank Lampard, and Robbie Fowler.

    Other stars expected to play are Cafu, Roberto Carlos, Thierry Henry, Marcel Desailly, Hernan Crespo, Pablo Zabaleta, Mesut Ozil, Sami Khedira, David Villa, Carlos Puyol, Francesco Totti, and Diego Forlan.

  • WHAT IS THE FORMAT?

    It will be a regular 11-a-side tournament. However, each match will be 70 minutes long, instead of the regular 90, with roll-on substitutes allowed from the entire matchday squad of 18.

  • Mesut Ozil Lukas Podolski GermanyGetty Images

    WHAT ARE THE PROBABLE DATES?

    It is reported that the quarter-finals will be held on June 4 and 5, the semi-finals on June 8, and the final on June 11. The dates have been set keeping in mind the Champions League final and Euro 2024's start to ensure logistical smoothness.