Trent Alexander-Arnold and England's seven other World Cup teenagers

Trent Alexander-Arnold and England's seven other World Cup teenagers

Trent Alexander-Arnold's inclusion in England's squad for the 2018 World Cup has come as something of a surprise.

The 19-year-old made his debut for Gareth Southgate's side in a 2-0 pre-tournament friendly win against Costa Rica on Thursday evening, following a sensational breakthrough season with Liverpool.

The right-back played a key role in their run to the Champions League final and will be hoping to help create a similar run with the Three Lions this summer.

We can dream at least.

Alexander-Arnold is the eighth teen ever to be picked for an England World Cup squad and below are the other talented teenagers.

Johnny Haynes, 19 years old (1954)

Haynes was selected for England's 22-man final World Cup squad in 1954, but didn't travel to the tournament. The Three Lions only took 17 players to Switzerland and left five as part of a reserve list at home, including the 19-year-old. He went on to play for England in 1958 and 1962, but a car accident affected his performances after this, meaning he was not selected in 1966.

Trent Alexander-Arnold and England's seven other World Cup teenagers

Michael Owen, 18 years old (1998)

Glenn Hoddle picked Owen in 1998 and brought him on as a substitute for England's first two games. Given he scored in the second match against Romania, Hoddle decided to start the youngster in England's final group fixture against Colombia and then again in the second round tie with Argentina. Owen's inspired performance against Argentina featured a famous virtuoso goal, but wasn't enough to stop England being knocked out on penalties.

Trent Alexander-Arnold and England's seven other World Cup teenagers

Rio Ferdinand, 19 years old (1998)

Ferdinand was picked alongside Owen in 1998, but couldn't break into the side and so didn't feature in any of the games. He went on to play for the Three Lions at the tournament in 2002 and 2006, but was ruled out through injury in 2010.

Trent Alexander-Arnold and England's seven other World Cup teenagers

Theo Walcott, 17 years old (2006)

Walcott's inclusion in England's 2006 squad came as a surprise due to the fact he hadn't even appeared in Arsenal's first team yet. Sven-Goran Eriksson didn't play the 17-year-old at the tournament, but defended his decision to take him by saying the experience gained would help Walcott at future tournaments. As it happened, Fabio Capello opted not to pick him in 2010 and he missed the 2014 World Cup through injury.

Trent Alexander-Arnold and England's seven other World Cup teenagers

Aaron Lennon, 19 years old (2006)

Eriksson made a second surprise pick for the 2006 World Cup when he called up Lennon, who had yet to play for England's senior team. The teenager came off the bench against Trinidad and Tobago to help England steal a 2-0 group stage win. He also came on against Portugal in the quarter-final to replace an injured David Beckham, but was taken off again just before the game went to a penalty shoot-out, which England of course lost.

Trent Alexander-Arnold and England's seven other World Cup teenagers

Luke Shaw, 18 years old (2014)

When Roy Hodgson picked Shaw, he displaced legendary left-back Ashley Cole, prompting his retirement from international football. The 18-year-old went to the tournament as the Three Lions' second choice behind Leighton Baines and made an appearance in the 0-0 draw with Costa Rica, by which time the country had already been knocked out. After a rollercoaster four years, in which he was signed by Manchester United and suffered heavily with injuries, Shaw has been left out of the 2018 squad.

Trent Alexander-Arnold and England's seven other World Cup teenagers

Raheem Sterling, 19 years old (2014)

Sterling made his first senior England appearance in 2012, but only held four caps heading into the 2014 World Cup. Hodgson still elected to start him in both of England's defeats to Italy and Uruguay and he did give the Three Lions their highlight of the tournament when his fourth minute shot against the Italians crashed into the side netting. For a fleeting moment, the entire nation believed England were 1-0 up.

Trent Alexander-Arnold and England's seven other World Cup teenagers

Trent Alexander-Arnold, 19 years old (2018)

As mentioned above, Gareth Southgate has placed his faith in 19-year-old right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, by putting him in his squad for the 2018 World Cup. He will have to compete with Kyle Walker for that position unless his attacking prowess is utilised further up the pitch.

Trent Alexander-Arnold and England's seven other World Cup teenagers

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