Rio Ngumoha, 17, dazzles on England debut vs New Zealand, becomes fifth-youngest Three Lions player ever | OneFootball

Liverpool teenager Rio Ngumoha has become the fifth-youngest player to make their England debut.

Ngumoha was handed his first appearance for England as a second-half substitute during England's 1-0 win over New Zealand on Saturday.

Though the 17-year-old has not been included in the squad for the 2026World Cup, he is among a group included by Tuchel to join the pre-tournament preparations.

Ngumoha came on at half-time in Tampa to become the youngest England debutant since Jude Bellingham in 2020, and the fifth youngest of all time.

A live-wire performance from the teenager saw him earn the man-of-the-match accolade, in an impressive first outing for the Three Lions.

Ngumoha's debut concludes an impressive breakout campaign at Liverpool, in which the winger made 29 first-team appearances, scoring twice. He has been nominated for thePFA Young Player of the Year award.

Four of England's five youngest debutants have come this century. Theo Walcott holds the record, having made his first international appearance aged just 17 years and 75 days against Hungary in 2006.

The 10 youngest players in England history:

1. Theo Walcott - 17 years and 75 days (Debut v Hungary on 30/05/2006)

2. Wayne Rooney - 17 years and 111 days (Debut v Australia on 12/02/2003)

3. Jude Bellingham - 17 years and 136 days (Debut v Republic of Ireland on 12/11/2020)

4. James Prinsep - 17 years and 252 days (Debut v Scotland on 05/04/1879)

5. Rio Ngumoha - 17 years and 281 days (Debut v New Zealand on 06/06/2026)

6. Thurston Rostron - 17 years and 311 days (Debut v Wales on 26/02/1881)

7. Raheem Sterling - 17 years and 342 days (Debut v Sweden on 14/11/2012)

8. Clement Mitchell - 18 years and 24 days (Debut v Wales on 15/03/1880)

9. Michael Owen - 18 years and 59 days (Debut v Chile on 11/02/1998)

10. Callum Hudson-Odoi – 18 years and 135 days (Debut v Czechia on 22/03/2019)