England national under-21 football team facts for kids
Nickname(s) | The Young Lions | ||
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Association | The Football Association (The FA) |
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Confederation | UEFA (Europe) | ||
Head coach | Lee Carsley | ||
Most caps | James Milner (46) | ||
Top scorer | Eddie Nketiah (16) | ||
FIFA code | ENG | ||
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First international | |||
![]() ![]() (Wolverhampton, England; 15 December 1976) |
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Biggest win | |||
![]() ![]() (Shrewsbury, England; 19 November 2013) |
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Biggest defeat | |||
![]() ![]() (Malmö, Sweden; 29 June 2009) |
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UEFA U-21 Championship | |||
Appearances | 17 (first in 1978) | ||
Best result | Winners (4) (1982, 1984, 2023, 2025) |
The England national under-21 football team, often called England U21s, is a special football team for young players from England. It is managed by The Football Association (The FA). This team helps prepare talented young players for the main England national football team.
Players can join this team if they are under 21 years old at the start of a two-year UEFA European Under-21 Championship competition. This means some players can stay on the team until they are 23. Players like Jack Butland and Harry Kane have played for both the U21s and the senior England team.
The England U21 team started in 1976. Their very first game was a friendly match against Wales in Wolverhampton. The game ended in a 0–0 draw.
The U21 team does not have one main stadium. They play matches in different cities across England. This helps more young fans around the country watch them play. Because fewer people come to U21 games compared to senior team matches, smaller stadiums can be used. A record crowd of nearly 60,000 people watched England U21s play Italy U21s at the new Wembley Stadium in 2007. This was also a world record for an U21 game.
Contents
Coaching the Young Lions
Meet the Head Coaches
The England U21 team has had many coaches over the years. These coaches help young players develop their skills.
Tenure | Head Coach/Manager |
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1977–1990 | ![]() |
1990–1993 | ![]() |
1994–1996 | ![]() |
1996–1999 | ![]() |
1999 | ![]() |
1999–2001 | ![]() |
2001–2004 | ![]() |
2004–2007 | ![]() |
2007–2013 | ![]() |
2013 | ![]() |
2013–2016 | ![]() |
2016–2021 | ![]() |
2021– | ![]() |
2024 | ![]() |
Dave Sexton was the first coach, leading the team from 1977 to 1990. He also managed big clubs like Manchester United. After him, Lawrie McMenemy took over for three years.
Peter Taylor became coach in 1996. His teams played very well. Later, David Platt managed the team from 2001 to 2004.
In 2007, Stuart Pearce became the head coach. He stayed in the role until 2013. After him, Gareth Southgate took charge in August 2013. Southgate later became the manager of the senior England team.
Aidy Boothroyd then became the permanent manager in 2017. He left the role in April 2021. On July 27, 2021, Lee Carsley was promoted to head coach of the U21s. Ashley Cole joined him as his assistant.
Current Coaching Team
Position | Staff |
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Manager | ![]() |
Assistant Manager | ![]() |
Goalkeeping Coach | ![]() |
Source:
Watching the Games
You can watch England U21 Euro qualifiers and friendly matches on The FA Player. The 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship was shown on Channel 4.
Recent Matches and Results
2024 Matches
Win Draw Loss
6 September 2025 UEFA U-21 Group F Qualifier | Northern Ireland ![]() |
0–0 | ![]() |
Ballymena, Northern Ireland |
Stadium: The Showgrounds Attendance: 3,237 Referee: David Šmajc (Slovenia) |
9 September International friendly | England ![]() |
4–1 | ![]() |
Luton, England |
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Stadium: Kenilworth Road Attendance: 5,294 Referee: Stéphanie Frappart (France) |
11 October 2025 UEFA U-21 Group F Qualifier | England ![]() |
2–1 | ![]() |
Bournemouth, England |
Stadium: Vitality Stadium Attendance: 9,858 Referee: Joakim Östling (Sweden) |
15 October 2025 UEFA U-21 Group F Qualifier | England ![]() |
7–0 | ![]() |
Bristol, England |
Stadium: Ashton Gate Attendance: 14,974 Referee: Ivana Martinčić (Croatia) |
15 November International friendly | Spain ![]() |
0–0 | ![]() |
La Línea de la Concepción, Spain |
Stadium: Estadio Municipal de La Línea de la Concepción Referee: Cláudio Pereira (Portugal) |
18 November International friendly | Netherlands ![]() |
1–1 | ![]() |
Almere, Netherlands |
Stadium: Yanmar Stadion Referee: Kevin O'Sullivan (Republic of Ireland) |
2025 Matches
21 March International friendly | France ![]() |
5–3 | ![]() |
Lorient, France |
Stadium: Stade du Moustoir Attendance: 15,271 Referee: Lothar D'Hondt (Belgium) |
24 March International friendly | England ![]() |
4–2 | ![]() |
West Bromwich, England |
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Stadium: The Hawthorns Attendance: 14,783 Referee: Iwan Griffith (Wales) |
12 June 2025 2025 UEFA Under-21 Group Stage | Czech Republic ![]() |
1−3 | ![]() |
Dunajská Streda, Slovakia |
21:00 CEST (GMT+2) | Stadium: MOL Aréna Attendance: 8,087 Referee: Elchin Masiyev (Azerbaijan) |
15 June 2025 2025 UEFA Under-21 Group Stage | England ![]() |
0−0 | ![]() |
Nitra, Slovakia |
18:00 CEST (GMT+2) | Stadium: Štadión pod Zoborom Attendance: 5,217 Referee: Goga Kikacheishvili (Georgia) |
18 June 2025 2025 UEFA Under-21 Group Stage | England ![]() |
1−2 | ![]() |
Nitra, Slovakia |
21:00 CEST (GMT+2) | Stadium: Štadión pod Zoborom Attendance: 5,624 Referee: Sander van der Eijk (Netherlands) |
21 June 2025 2025 UEFA Under-21 Quarter-finals | Spain ![]() |
1–3 | ![]() |
Trnava, Slovakia |
21:00 CEST (GMT+2) |
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Stadium: Anton Malatinský Stadium Attendance: 8,247 Referee: Simone Sozza (Italy) |
25 June 2025 2025 UEFA Under-21 Semi-finals | England ![]() |
2–1 | ![]() |
Bratislava, Slovakia |
18:00 CEST (GMT+2) | Stadium: Tehelné pole Attendance: 14,719 Referee: Vassilis Fotias (Greece) |
28 June 2025 2025 UEFA Under-21 Final | England ![]() |
3–2 (a.e.t.) | ![]() |
Bratislava, Slovakia |
21:00 CEST (GMT+2) | Stadium: Tehelné pole Attendance: 19,153 Referee: Sander van der Eijk (Netherlands) |
8 September 2025 2027 UEFA U-21 Group D Qualifier | Kazakhstan ![]() |
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10 October 2025 2027 UEFA U-21 Group D Qualifier | Moldova ![]() |
v | ![]() |
13 October 2025 2027 UEFA U-21 Group D Qualifier | England ![]() |
v | ![]() |
14 November 2025 2027 UEFA U-21 Group D Qualifier | England ![]() |
v | ![]() |
18 November 2025 2027 UEFA U-21 Group D Qualifier | Slovakia ![]() |
v | ![]() |
Upcoming Qualifiers
2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification Group D
Players on the Team
Current Squad Members
Players born on or after January 1, 2004, can play in the 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.
The players listed below were part of the squad for the 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. This tournament finished in June 2025.
The numbers for games played (caps) and goals scored are correct as of June 28, 2025, after the match against Germany. Players whose names are in bold have also played for the senior England team.
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
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1 | GK | James Beadle | 16 July 2004 | 12 | 0 | ![]() |
13 | GK | Tommy Simkin | 8 December 2004 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
22 | GK | Teddy Sharman-Lowe | 30 March 2003 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
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2 | DF | Tino Livramento | 12 November 2002 | 14 | 0 | ![]() |
3 | DF | Ronnie Edwards | 28 March 2003 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
4 | DF | Jarell Quansah | 29 January 2003 | 14 | 0 | ![]() |
5 | DF | Charlie Cresswell | 17 August 2002 | 26 | 3 | ![]() |
12 | DF | Brooke Norton-Cuffy | 12 January 2004 | 9 | 0 | ![]() |
15 | DF | CJ Egan-Riley | 2 January 2003 | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
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6 | MF | Hayden Hackney | 26 June 2002 | 13 | 1 | ![]() |
8 | MF | Elliot Anderson | 6 November 2002 | 12 | 2 | ![]() |
14 | MF | Archie Gray | 12 March 2006 | 13 | 1 | ![]() |
16 | MF | Jack Hinshelwood | 11 April 2005 | 10 | 0 | ![]() |
20 | MF | Alex Scott | 21 August 2003 | 11 | 1 | ![]() |
23 | MF | Tyler Morton | 31 October 2002 | 13 | 1 | ![]() |
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7 | FW | Tom Fellows | 25 July 2003 | 3 | 1 | ![]() |
9 | FW | Jonathan Rowe | 30 April 2003 | 10 | 3 | ![]() |
10 | FW | James McAtee | 18 October 2002 | 24 | 8 | ![]() |
11 | FW | Omari Hutchinson | 30 October 2003 | 10 | 3 | ![]() |
17 | FW | Samuel Iling-Junior | 4 October 2003 | 16 | 2 | ![]() |
18 | FW | Jay Stansfield | 24 November 2002 | 9 | 0 | ![]() |
19 | FW | Harvey Elliott | 4 April 2003 | 28 | 14 | ![]() |
21 | FW | Ethan Nwaneri | 21 March 2007 | 8 | 1 | ![]() |
Other Players Called Up Recently
The following players have also been called up to the England U21 squad. They are still young enough to be selected again.
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
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DF | Rico Lewis | 21 November 2004 | 7 | 0 | ![]() |
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DF | Ben Chrisene | 12 January 2004 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() ![]() |
DF | Kellen Fisher | 5 May 2004 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() ![]() |
DF | Lewis Hall | 8 September 2004 | 5 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() ![]() |
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MF | Adam Wharton | 6 February 2004 | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
Training Camp, June 2025 INJ |
MF | George Earthy | 5 September 2004 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() ![]() |
MF | Darko Gyabi | 18 February 2004 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() ![]() |
MF | Lewis Miley | 1 May 2006 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() ![]() |
MF | Kobbie Mainoo | 19 April 2005 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() ![]() |
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FW | Dane Scarlett | 24 March 2004 | 4 | 2 | ![]() |
Training Camp, June 2025 INJ |
FW | Jamie Gittens | 8 August 2004 | 11 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() ![]() |
FW | Tyler Dibling | 17 February 2006 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() ![]() |
- INJ Player left the squad due to injury before playing any games.
- SEN Player left the squad because they were called up to the senior England team.
Past Squads
- 2000 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship squad
- 2002 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship squad
- 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship squad
- 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship squad
- 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship squad
- 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship squad
- 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship squad
- 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship squad
- 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship squad
- 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship squad
- 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship squad
- 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship squad
Team Records
Players with Most Games Played
Rank | Player | Caps | Goals | Career | Clubs |
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1 | James Milner | 46 | 9 | 2004–2009 | Leeds United, Newcastle United, Aston Villa |
2 | Nathaniel Chalobah | 40 | 1 | 2012–2017 | Chelsea |
3 | Nathan Redmond | 38 | 10 | 2013–2017 | Birmingham City, Norwich City, Southampton |
4 | Tom Huddlestone | 33 | 5 | 2005–2009 | Derby County, Tottenham Hotspur |
Fabrice Muamba | 33 | 0 | 2007–2011 | Birmingham City, Bolton Wanderers | |
6 | James Ward-Prowse | 31 | 6 | 2013–2017 | Southampton |
7 | Michael Mancienne | 30 | 1 | 2007–2011 | Chelsea, Hamburger SV |
8 | Scott Carson | 29 | 0 | 2004–2007 | Leeds United, Liverpool |
Danny Rose | 29 | 3 | 2009–2013 | Tottenham Hotspur | |
Steven Taylor | 29 | 4 | 2004–2009 | Newcastle United |
Note: Club(s) means the main clubs a player was with while playing for the Under-21s.
Top Goal Scorers
Rank | Player | Goals | Caps | Ratio | Career | Club(s) |
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1 | Eddie Nketiah | 16 | 17 | 0.94 | 2018–2021 | Arsenal |
2 | Harvey Elliott | 14 | 28 | 0.5 | 2022–2025 | Liverpool |
3 | Alan Shearer | 13 | 11 | 1.18 | 1990–1992 | Southampton, Newcastle United |
Francis Jeffers | 13 | 16 | 0.81 | 1999–2003 | Everton, Arsenal | |
5 | Saido Berahino | 11 | 12 | 0.92 | 2013–2015 | West Bromwich Albion |
6 | Nathan Redmond | 10 | 38 | 0.26 | 2013–2017 | Birmingham City, Norwich City, Southampton |
7 | Darren Bent | 9 | 14 | 0.64 | 2003–2005 | Ipswich Town, Charlton Athletic |
Dominic Solanke | 9 | 18 | 0.5 | 2015–2019 | Chelsea, Liverpool, Bournemouth | |
Frank Lampard | 9 | 19 | 0.47 | 1997–2000 | West Ham United | |
Tammy Abraham | 9 | 26 | 0.35 | 2016–2019 | Chelsea | |
James Milner | 9 | 46 | 0.2 | 2004–2009 | Leeds United, Newcastle United, Aston Villa |
Note: Club(s) means the main clubs a player was with while playing for the Under-21s.
Tournament History
The England U21 team plays in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship. This tournament happens every two years. There isn't an Under-21 World Cup, but there is an U20 World Cup.
In the early years of the European Under-21 Championship (1978–1988), England did very well. They reached the semi-finals four times and won the competition twice, in 1982 and 1984.
After 1988, England had a tough time qualifying for the main tournament for several years. In 1998, they won their qualifying group but were unlucky. They had to play an extra match and lost, even though they had only lost one of their ten games overall.
England qualified easily for the 2000 finals. They won every match without letting in a single goal. However, they were knocked out in the group stage of the main tournament.
They also qualified for the 2002 tournament but again did not get past the group stage. After a few more years of not qualifying, England reached the semi-finals in 2007. They played against the host team, the Netherlands, and lost in a long penalty shootout.
In 2009, England made it to the final but lost 4–0 to Germany. They were knocked out in the group stage in 2011, 2013, 2015, 2019, and 2021. They reached the semi-finals again in 2017.
England won the tournament for the third time in 2023. They won all their games and did not let in any goals! They then won the tournament for a fourth time in 2025.
UEFA European Under-21 Championship record | UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification record | Manager(s) | |||||||||||||||
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Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D * | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |||
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Semi-Finals | 4th of 8 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 2 | Sexton | ||
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Semi-Finals | 3rd of 8 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 2 | Sexton | ||
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Champions | 1st of 8 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 5 | Sexton | ||
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Champions | 1st of 8 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 4 | Sexton | ||
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Semi-Finals | 4th of 8 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 3 | Sexton | ||
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Semi-Finals | 3rd of 8 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 3 | Sexton | ||
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did not qualify | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 5 | Sexton | |||||||||
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6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 11 | 5 | McMenemy | ||||||||||
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10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 20 | 8 | McMenemy | ||||||||||
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8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 4 | Sexton | ||||||||||
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10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 11 | 5 | Taylor | ||||||||||
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Group Stage | 5th of 8 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 9 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 26 | 3 | Taylor, Reid, Wilkinson | ||
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7th of 8 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 18 | 8 | Wilkinson Platt | |||
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did not qualify | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 14 | 10 | Platt | |||||||||
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12 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 23 | 10 | Taylor | ||||||||||
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Semi-Finals | 3rd of 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 4 | Taylor, Pearce | ||
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Runners-Up | 2nd of 8 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 22 | 5 | Pearce | ||
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Group Stage | 7th of 8 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 17 | 8 | Pearce | ||
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7th of 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 26 | 3 | Pearce | |||
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7th of 8 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 12 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 35 | 4 | Southgate | |||
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Semi-Finals | 3rd of 12 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 20 | 3 | Southgate, Boothroyd | ||
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Group Stage | 9th of 12 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 23 | 4 | Boothroyd | ||
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12th of 16 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 10 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 34 | 9 | Boothroyd | |||
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Champions | 1st of 16 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 10 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 26 | 7 | Carsley | ||
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Champions | 1st of 16 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 7 | 10 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 41 | 6 | Carsley | ||
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Carsley | ||||||||||||||||
Total | 4 titles | 18/25 | 68 | 28 | 18 | 22 | 95 | 79 | 201 | 142 | 37 | 22 | 467 | 130 |
Note: The year of the tournament is when it finished.
- *Draws include knockout matches decided by penalty kicks.
See also
In Spanish: Selección de fútbol sub-21 de Inglaterra para niños