International Squads

Representing your country

The ESFA is proud to provide opportunities for talented players who are in full time education to represent their country whilst still concentrating on their schooling. The Under 18 Boys and Under 15 Girls, selected by trials, gain the opportunity to pull on an England Schools’ shirt, travel to SGP, the home of England football, to train and play their first friendly fixtures, then embark on their competitive season by competing in their resepective Schools’ International Football Association Board (SAFIB) trophies. The Centenary Shield is contested by schoolboys from England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and the England Schoolgirls compete against the same countries, except Wales, in the Bob Docherty Trophy. You can find out more about SAFIB here.

The nomination process

The English Schools’ FAs trialists come from the best players in County Schools’ representative teams, from where all nominations must be made. Nominations can only be accepted from elsewhere if the relevant County Schools’ FA does not run a team, but the CSFA must still nominate the player for trial.

Should you wish to get involved at County level, please contact your local County Schools’ FA.


The ESFA is grateful to its international programme sponsors, who support the international programme for both the U15 girls and U18 boys, providing opportunities that wouldn’t otherwise be available:


    International Links

    ESFA Boys’ U18 England Squad

    ESFA Girls’ U15 England Squad


    The start of something big…

    For many of our international players, representing the ESFA is the pinnacle of their footballing career. Some choose for it to be this way, pursuing University, apprenticeships or employment in other fields. Their success in playing for their country will no doubt have given them something to talk to potential employers and universities about, describing the sense of achievement, pride, teamwork and loyalty it instilled in them, as well as showing a high level of commitment. For others however, it has helped showcase their talents to the professional clubs, with some going on to make a career in the pro game. Here’s a couple, but there are many others – you can have a look at our past squad lists here.