• Kristjaan Speakman of Sunderland AFC reacts to Chris Rigg’s revelation.

  • Sunderland’s young star Chris Rigg will be absent from the team in November and potentially December as he has been called up to the England squad for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup.
  •  Sunderland’s sporting director, Kristjaan Speakman, is proud of Rigg’s development and sees his selection for the tournament as a vital and unique experience for the player.
  •  Rigg’s absence may cause him to miss several matches for Sunderland, depending on England’s progress in the tournament.That is according to a Sunderland AFC statement released earlier this afternoon, revealing that the 16-year-old had been called up to the England squad set to travel to the FIFA Under-17 World Cup.

    Kristjaan Speakman reacts to Chris Rigg news

    Stadium of Light Sunderland

    Speaking as part of the announcement that revealed the news, Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman offered a few words.

    The key Sunderland figure said it was testament to Rigg’s development that he had to have a discussion with Tony Mowbray about how the 16-year-old’s absence would affect the club bossses’ plans.

    “We’re all delighted with Chris’ development and there is a shared sense of pride throughout the club that he’s been selected to represent England at such a prestigious tournament,” Speakman said in the Sunderland AFC club statement.

    “It’s a mark of his progression that we had to discuss the implications that his absence would have on our squad, but both Tony and I felt this was a vital and unique experience for Chris and we’re looking forward to supporting him from afar.”

    When is the FIFA Under-17 World Cup?

    The FIFA Under-17 World Cup is set to take place shortly, beginning on Friday 10th November and ending on December 2nd.

    The 2023 FIFA Under-17 World Cup will be the 19th edition of the tournament, and is being held in Indonesia.Everything Kristjaan Speakman said as he outlined his new role as Sunderland sporting director - Chronicle Live

    Who do England play in the FIFA Under-17 World Cup?

    With the tournament getting underway on November 10th, England do not have to wait long until their own campaign kicks off.

    Indeed, the young Three Lions side take on New Caledonia Under-17’s on Saturday November 11th, before their second and third group matches against Iran Under-17’s (14/11) and Brazil Under-17’s (17/11).

    England will be hoping for a repeat of their success in the tournament in 2017, when the likes of Phil Foden, Jadon Sancho, Rhian Brewster, and Morgan Gibbs-White helped fire them to victory and a gold medal