Ronaldinho, Thierry Henry & Michael Owen prepare for new over-35s World Cup

The FIFA World Cup for retired players will feature many legendary stars

Some of the biggest names in football history including Ronaldinho, Thierry Henry & Michael Owen are scheduled to compete in a brand-new over-35 World Cup competition that will take place in England this summer.

An eight-team competition featuring the FIFA World Cup champions—England, Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Uruguay—is set to begin.

In the first week of June, seven games are slated to take place in the same stadium. Although the location is still being determined, Mail Sport has revealed that negotiations have begun with several of the top northern Premier League clubs.

The competition, which will be known as the EPG Cup, is being staged by the Elite Players Group (EPG), a group of elite former football players and sports businessmen who teamed up last year.

According to their plans, the competition will only be open to players who are 35 years of age or older, have earned 100 appearances in the top division, and have received caps for their nation.

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The EPG was founded by the commanders of each nation. The other captains are Kevin Kuranyi (Germany), Marco Materazzi (Italy), Michel Salgado (Spain), Diego Lugano (Uruguay), Esteban Cambiasso (Argentina), Emerson (Brazil), Christian Karembeu (France), and Steve McManaman (England).

Five past Ballon d’Or holders are included in the tentative teams that Mail Sport has seen and circulated: Michael Owen of England, Kaka, Ronaldinho, and Rivaldo from Brazil, and Fabio Cannavaro of Italy.

Additionally, it is said that Rio Ferdinand, Ashley Cole, Joe Cole, David James, Frank Lampard, and Robbie Fowler were all previously called up by England.

Stars including France’s Thierry Henry and Marcel Desailly, as well as Brazil’s Cafu and Roberto Carlos, are reportedly in the queue to appear.

Hernan Crespo and Pablo Zabaleta are rumoured to be connected with Argentina, whilst Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira are on Germany’s selection list.

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