Crystal Palace’s Academy will be represented across several international age groups during the September and October window, with players selected by Morocco, England, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Bulgaria.
Taha Majni will join Morocco Under-20s for the UNAF Tournament in Egypt, where five nations will compete in Ismailia from 21 September to 6 October. The competition also acts as qualification for the 2027 Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations, with two places at next year’s tournament in Ghana available. Majni was part of Morocco’s FIFA Under-20 World Cup-winning squad in Chile last year, despite being 17 at the time, and has since represented the country’s Under-23s twice.
Dean Benamar has been included in England Under-19s’ 24-man squad as the Young Lions prepare for European Championship qualifying later this year. England face the Republic of Ireland at St George’s Park on 25 September before travelling to Spain for matches against Norway, the United States and Belgium. Benamar arrives in strong form after scoring in each of his last three England appearances, against Croatia, Greece and Cyprus.
Lucca Benetton has also been selected by England, joining the Under-17 squad for fixtures against the Republic of Ireland, Israel, Venezuela and Germany. The 16-year-old has enjoyed a notable start to the season, travelling with Palace to the Como Cup, training regularly under Pierre Sage and making the bench for the club’s first UEFA Europa League match against Lech Poznań. Having first moved up to Under-17 level in April, he is still waiting to make his international debut.
Joel Drakes-Thomas was initially picked for England Under-18s’ UEFA Friendship Cup campaign in Switzerland but has withdrawn through injury. Meanwhile, Alfie Mulvenna will represent Northern Ireland Under-17s in Spain against Sweden, Switzerland and Wales. The centre-back joined Palace from Larne during the summer as part of the 2026/27 scholarship intake and has quickly become a regular in the Under-18 defence.
Isaac Ogunrinde has received his first Republic of Ireland Under-16 call-up after becoming Palace’s youngest Under-18 player of the season when he debuted against Southampton at 14. He started both recent friendlies against France, playing almost an hour in each, while goalkeeper Rosen Modev has been selected by Bulgaria Under-17s for matches against Estonia and Malta after making his Under-18 debut against Fulham last weekend.
