From Lucca Benetton stepping up to England Under-17s, to Benji Casey with England Under-18s in UEFA EURO 2027 qualifying, and Charlie Walker-Smith preparing for this summer’s UEFA Under-19 EURO Finals with Wales, several Academy players continue their international development – see their involvement below!
Academy Internationals: Cardines doubles up on assists, Benamar nets for England
Six Crystal Palace Academy players are in action for their respective nations during the March international window, with selections ranging from youth level through to senior international football.
Palace Under‑21s wing‑back Rio Cardines played an important role in Trinidad & Tobago’s 2026 FIFA Series campaign in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Cardines featured for 83 minutes as the Soca Warriors opened the series with a 4–1 defeat to Venezuela on Friday (27th March), helping his side remain competitive against opponents ranked 47 places higher in the FIFA standings.
Despite the scoreline, he delivered an encouraging performance during a strong opening hour as Trinidad and Tobago battled hard and even took the lead before Venezuela turned the contest around.
In their second fixture, Cardines was directly involved in both goals in a thrilling 2–2 draw with Gabon on Monday (30th March).
He provided his first assist from an inswinging corner, allowing Levi García to level the score early in the second half, before setting up his second from a free kick, which García finished first‑time to complete both his own brace and Rio’s two assists.
Cardines thus helped his nation earn a draw against Gabon, but in the subsequent penalty shootout Gabon emerged victorious 3–2, ending Trinidad & Tobago’s run in the tournament.
The 19-year-old took a spot kick in the shootout, demonstrating character and resilience despite narrowly missing from 12 yards. He now brings his tally to three international assists in 11 senior appearances.
Cardines’ involvement marked another important step in his reintegration into the senior international setup after injury ruled him out of November’s World Cup qualifiers.
Having made his senior debut in May 2025 during the Unity Cup, the wing‑back has already built valuable experience across World Cup qualifying and CONCACAF competition, and continues to establish himself at senior level.
The FIFA Series initiative brings together nations from different confederations for international competition, with Trinidad and Tobago’s fixtures featuring Venezuela, Gabon and hosts Uzbekistan as part of a diverse and competitive group stage.
Dean Benamar found the net as England Under-18s secured a 2-0 victory over Croatia on Tuesday afternoon (31st March), confirming the Young Lions’ progression to the next stage of qualification for the 2027 UEFA European Under-19 Championship.
It marked England’s final fixture of the March international window, with the Young Lions recording two wins (Bulgaria and Croatia) and one defeat (Spain) across the three matches.
Benamar, returning to international action after injury curtailed his involvement towards the end of last year, made his mark with a well-taken goal, having been an unused substitute in the earlier fixtures against Bulgaria (4-1 win) and Spain (3-1 defeat).
Benji Casey, meanwhile, was also involved throughout the camp, making late substitute appearances against both Bulgaria and Croatia, introduced in the 75th minute on each occasion to help see out victories.
The striker was named among the substitutes in the defeat to Spain but remained unused, continuing his steady development at international level with consistent involvement in matchday squads.
England’s results ensure they remain in League A for the next stage of qualification on the road to the 2027 finals in the Czech Republic.
Under the revised format, qualification is split across three rounds, with this stage forming Round 1. League standings determine placement for Round 2 in the autumn, before a final round next spring decides the seven teams to join the hosts.
These fixtures mark an important step for the group, who will progress into the MU19s during the 2026/27 season as they continue their journey towards the European Championship finals.
Lucca Benetton was an unused substitute as England Under-17s opened their UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifying campaign with a 3–0 win over the Faroe Islands, before not being included in the matchday squad for the 3–1 defeat to Israel.
The 15-year-old goalkeeper was again absent from the squad for England’s final fixture, a 2–0 victory over Estonia, as the Young Lions concluded their League B group with two wins and one defeat.
Despite ending the campaign on a positive note, England were unable to qualify for this summer’s UEFA U17 EURO Finals, with progression already ruled out following results in the opening round last November.
Still just 15, Benetton’s inclusion at Under-17 level highlights his rapid progression through the England pathway, stepping up an age group having featured for the Under-16s earlier this season.
At club level, he has also established himself as Crystal Palace U18s’ first-choice goalkeeper since the turn of the year, with his performances continuing to underpin his international recognition.
Joel Drakes-Thomas was also initially named in the squad but withdrew prior to the camp and was replaced by Harvey Higgins.
Palace Under-21 'keeper Owen Goodman was an unused substitute as Canada played out a 2–2 draw with Iceland on Saturday, in the opening fixture of the March international window.
It is Goodman’s second senior call‑up to the Canada Men’s National Team after he first linked up with the national side during the November international window.
The 22‑year‑old, currently on loan at Barnsley FC, continues to gain valuable senior experience in League One this season while being involved in Canada’s preparations on the international stage.
Canada’s March schedule concludes with a fixture against Tunisia on Tuesday, 31st March (00:30 BST) at BMO Field in Toronto. The matches form part of a wider international series as the team builds towards FIFA World Cup 2026.
Further fixtures are already confirmed for the summer, with Canada set to host Uzbekistan in Edmonton on 1st June, before welcoming the Republic of Ireland to Montréal on 5th June as part of their final preparations for the tournament.
Under-18s centre-back Charlie Walker-Smith was part of the Wales Under-19 matchday squad for their international friendly against the USA in Spain on Saturday.
Cymru were beaten 4–0 by the USA at Oliva Nova Resort as part of their preparations for this summer’s UEFA U19 EURO Finals, set to be hosted in north Wales.
Walker-Smith adds to his experience with the Young Dragons across recent international windows, including September’s preparatory tournament, October’s Marbella camp, and a November mini-tournament.
He will now continue to be part of a new era under head coach Chris Gunter, who took charge of the MU19s for the first time following his January appointment.
Keep track of how our Academy players get on this international window below!
All times are UK.
England Under-17s – Lucca Benetton & Joel Drakes-Thomas
- Wednesday, 25th March (14:00 GMT): England 3-0 Faroe Islands (Lucca Benetton was an unused sub, Joel Drakes-Thomas has withdrawn from the squad).
- Saturday, 28th March (14:00 GMT): Israel 3-1 England (Benetton was not involved in the matchday squad).
- Tuesday, 31st March (14:00 BST): Estonia 0-2 England (Benetton was not involved in the matchday squad).
England Under-18s – Benji Casey & Dean Benamar
- Wednesday, 25th March (11:00 GMT): England 4-1 Bulgaria (Benji Casey was a late substitute, while Dean Benamar was an unused substitute).
- Saturday, 28th March (11:00 GMT): England 3-1 Spain (Casey and Benamar were both unused substitutes).
- Tuesday, 31st March (13:45 BST): Croatia 0-2 England (Casey was a late sub, while Benamar netted the second goal).
Canada - Owen Goodman
- Saturday, March 28th (17:00 GMT): Canada 2-2 Iceland (Owen Goodman was an unused substitute).
- Wednesday, 1st April (00:30 BST): Canada v Tunisia
Trinidad and Tobago – Rio Cardines
- Friday, 27th March (10:00 GMT): Venezuela 4-1 Trinidad and Tobago (Rio Cardines played 83 minutes as Trinidad pushed a side 47 places above them in the FIFA rankings).
- Monday, 30th March (11:00 BST): Gabon 2-2 Trinidad and Tobago (3-2 pens a.e.t.) (Rio Cardines played the full 90, assisting both goals, but Trinidad & Tobago’s FIFA Series campaign ended on penalties).
Wales Under-19 - Charlie Walker-Smith
- Saturday, 28th March (10:00 GMT): USA 4-0 Wales (Charlie Walker-Smith was included in the matchday squad).