Ahead of this summer’s FIFA World Cup in North America, we explore a range of Sutton connections, no matter how rogue or random, to those overseas nations who have qualified for football’s biggest tournament, which gets underway tonight as Mexico host South Africa.
Read below for our feature-length piece.
Algeria 🇩🇿
Algeria finished top of Group G in the African qualifiers to secure their spot in the World Cup, accumulating 25 points from eight victories, one draw and one defeat, comfortably securing first place and booking their return to the global showpiece after a 12-year absence.
Nassim Akrour
Former Algeria international Nassim Akrour racked up 18 caps for the Desert Foxes between 2001 and 2004, the cherry on top of a career which began in England with during the late 1990s.
Born in Courbevoie, France, Akrour began his career with Olympique Noisy-le-Sec before moving across the channel in 1997, going on to score 19 goals in 41 appearances during the 1998/99 season as the U’s won promotion to the Conference. A successful two years at Gander Green Lane was followed by a move to Woking in 1999, entering the turn of the century with what proved to be his final stint in England, scoring a further 12 goals in 38 games for the Cards during 1999/00 before returning to France for the 2000/01 season.
After a spell at FC Istres, Akrour went on to enjoy an extremely fruitful career in the French leagues, scoring 32 goals in 74 games for Les Aviateurs before turning out for Troyes, Le Havre, Grenoble, Annecy and Chambéry, perhaps most notably appearing almost 300 times for Grenoble across two stints either side of a three-year stay back at Istres, and was followed by his decision to announce his retirement from playing in July 2019 aged 45, in order to take up a role as a youth coach with the club.
However, he reversed this decision six months later when he signed as a player for Chambéry, closing out a successful career only last year at the age of 51 after five years in South-East France.
As for his success on the international stage, this began in 2001 as a result of his form for Istres. He made his debut for the Algerian national team as a 60th-minute substitute in a 1–1 friendly with Ghana and was later a member of the Algerian 2002 African Nations Cup team, who were eliminated in the first round after finishing last in their group. He played in all three of Algeria’s games, starting in one, and scored one goal in the second group game against Liberia.
Akrour went on to rack up 18 caps for Algeria, being a part of the 2004 African Nations Cup team who finished second in their group in the first round of competition, before being defeated by Morocco in the quarter-finals.
Australia 🇦🇺
The Socceroos qualified for the World Cup by finishing as runners-up in Group C of the AFC’s third-round 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Dean Bouzanis
Veteran goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis currently plies his trade at Brisbane Roar in his native Australia, having begun a career in the land down under that eventually took him to Greece, Holland and England, including two stints with the U’s.
After a host of stints in junior football from the age of six onwards, turning out for Lilli Pilli, Carss Park, Sunderland Sharks, Northern Spirits, Sydney Olympics and NSWIS, Bouzanis made the 26-hour switch to the UK when he joined Liverpool after spending three weeks with the Reds’ first team, being described by Rafa Benítez as “the best goalkeeper in the world for his age”.
He later briefly returned home with a loan move to Sydney, which was followed by a temporary switch to Accrington Stanley, before stints at Oldham Athletic, Greek side Aris and Carlisle United preceded a permanent return to Oceania, with spells at Western Sydney Wanderers and Melbourne City being followed by a loan move to Dutch outfit PEC Zwolle, shortly before making his move to Sutton in 2020.
He subsequently played a key role in Matt Gray’s side winning automatic promotion to League Two for the first time in the club’s history, keeping 18 clean sheets in 42 appearances, before adding another 44 as the U’s finished eighth in the fourth tier.
His form in South London led to a brief switch to Championship side Reading, spending three years at the Madejski Stadium which primarily saw him spend time out on loan. A return to Sutton saw him appear another 28 times before losing his place under Steve Morison, with the goalkeeper making the switch to Stevenage ahead of his permanent exit from the Royals.
Bouzanis subsequently joined Charlton Athletic for two months in 2025 before joining Brisbane, where he currently resides, and has appeared 26 times in his debut campaign as the Lions finished 11th in the A-League.
Internationally, he has represented both Australia and Greece at youth level, being eligible for the latter due to his Greek parents. Aside from three caps for the Greece Under-19s, he has appeared 14 times for the Socceroos at Under-17, Under-20 and Under-23 level, as well as being selected for the London Olympics 2012 squad for qualifying matches against Yemen in June 2011.
Photo Credit: Paul Loughlin
George Tuson-Firth
Australian-born winger George Tuson-Firth played for Sutton during the 2019/20 season, appearing only four times under Paul Doswell.
After coming through the ranks for Australian club Manly United, Tuson-Firth turned out for CIS Football Champions, winning the New South Wales All Schools Tournament, New South Wales School Boys, winning a gold medal at the Pacific School Games and Australian School Boys, touring Japan with the Under-19s which saw play against some highly competitive J-League youth teams, including Kashima Antlers F.C and F.C Tokyo.
He later appeared for Blacktown City before returning to Manly ahead of a move to England, with a stint in Sheffield United’s Academy preceding spells at Aldershot Town, Salisbury, Lewes and AFC Portchester, before signing for the U’s in 2019. He signed professional terms for the first time while at Gander Green Lane and played in two pre season friendlies against Millwall and Chelsea U23s, before making his competitive debut with a cameo against Boreham Wood, going on to appear three more times in the National League against Dover Athletic, Aldershot and Yeovil Town.
He later went on to appear for Western City Rangers, then known as Mount Druitt Town Rangers in 2021, and has been without a club since leaving Hakoah City East in 2023.
Internationally, he represented Australia in an International Friendly in 2016, contributing to a 2-0 win over New Zealand’s Under-19s.
Photo Credit: Paul Loughlin
Callum Kealey
Sydney-born goalscorer Callum Kealey appeared for the U’s across the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons, featuring 12 times for Sutton.
A Brighton & Hove Albion academy product, Kealey made the move to Sussex from the lane down under at an early age and despite impressing in the youth setup, was released in 2016. He subsequently joined Lewes before joining Met. Police, where four goals in eight games attracted the attentions of Aston Villa and Fulham, as well as The Seagulls. Unfortunately, a wrist injury put paid to any immediate plans to make it back into the professional ranks, and he later joined Worthing in 2018, scoring against Worthing United, Selsey and twice at Wimborne Town in the Summer of 2018, to make it three in five in his first spell at Woodside Road.
He went on to carry on that form with both goals in an opening day win against Wingate & Finchley before moving to Sutton in January 2020, allowing him to end the 2020/21 campaign as a National League champion, scoring once in nine games in a 3-0 win over Maidenhead United.
After leaving Gander Green Lane he joined Dorking Wanderers at the start of the 2021/22 campaign, from whom he rejoined Worthing, and later turned out for Havant & Waterlooville and Eastbourne Borough before returning to Australia in 2025, making the switch to North West Sydney Spirit.
Photo Credit: Paul Loughlin
Canada 🇨🇦
Canada qualified for the World Cup automatically as co-hosts and are ranked 30th in the world, having previously only ever played in two tournaments – 1986 and 2022.
Gavin McCallum
Ontario-born left back Gavin McCallum enjoyed two spells at Sutton, calling Gander Green Lane his home in 2008/09 and 2013/14.
Despite hailing from the Great White North, McCallum’s career began in England with Yeovil Town, agreeing an 18-month deal with the Glovers in January 2006 at the age of 19. He went on to appear on loan for Tamworth, Crawley Town and Dorchester Town before making permanent switches to Weymouth and Havant & Waterlooville, ahead of his move to Sutton ahead of the 2008/09 season.
The left back went on to score 12 minutes into his U’s debut, notching the opener in a 1-1 Isthmian League draw with Harlow Town, and racked up a total of 54 appearances across the campaign, scoring an impressive 19 goals from defence as Paul Doswell’s side finished fifth before losing 3-0 in the play-off semi-final against Staines Town.
He subsequently joined Hereford United after a successful trial and enjoyed stints at Lincoln City, Barnet and Working before returning to Gander Green Lane in 2013, adding another 22 appearances to his Sutton tally as the U’s again secured a play-off spot, this time falling short in the two-legged semi-final against Dover Athletic.
Barring a brief loan spell at Tonbridge Angels, McCallum was a fairly regular part of the team during his second single season in South London, and proved to be his last with the defender opting to join Eastbourne Borough at the end of the season, a place where he racked up over 100 appearances across a four-year spell, before ending his career with stints at Welling United, Dartford and Bognor Regis Town.
Internationally, McCallum has represented Les Rouges at both youth and senior level. After picking up one cap for the Under-20s, he earned his first and only senior cap in a friendly against Venezuela in 2010, scoring on his debut in the 92nd minute to earn his side a draw.
He was later selected for the Cascadia side for a match against Chagos Islands in 2019.
Photo Credit: Paul Loughlin
Croatia 🇭🇷
Croatia qualified for the 2026 World Cup with an impressive unbeaten qualifying campaign, finishing top of UEFA Group L with seven wins and one draw. Vatreni scored 26 goals and conceded just four, highlighted by dominant victories over Gibraltar (7–0) and the Czech Republic (5–1), and they secured qualification with a match to spare.
Karlo Žiger
Former Chelsea goalkeeper Karlo Žiger briefly joined the U’s on loan in 2019, before leaving the Blues three years later to return to his home country.
A product of Cobham, Žiger had initially joined Chelsea in 2017 after rising through the ranks at NK Zagreb across nine years with his local club, before going on to appear regularly for the Blues’ Under-18s and Under-23s. He later played once for the U’s on loan, starting in a 3-0 defeat away at Spennymoor Town in the FA Trophy, and was followed by a temporary switch to Slovenian side Rudar Velenje in 2021.
The 25-year old subsequently departed Chelsea the following year and returned to Croatia, joining HNK Gorica where he still resides, appearing twice for Turopoljci alongside a loan move at Prva NL side Sesvete for the 2023/24 season.
He has also represented Croatia at youth level, appearing 15 times for the Under-17s, Under-18s and Under-19s.
Photo Credit: Paul Loughlin
France 🇫🇷
Les Bleus secured their place at the World Cup with an unbeaten qualifying campaign in Group D, overcoming Ukraine and Azerbaijan after an opening draw with Iceland, and Didier Deschamps’ side undoubtedly enter North America as one of the favourites.
Maxime Biamou
Perhaps one of the most high profile players to ever wear the Sutton shirt, Max Biamou was born in Créteil, France before turning out for the U’s during the 2016/17 season.
After training with CFFP in Paris early in his career, Biamou received his senior breakout in France’s lower leagues with Villemomble SF and Yzeure before making the move to Gander Green Lane in 2016. He scored 13 goals in 45 games in all competitions, most notably with a trio of goals in the U’s infamous FA Cup run to the fifth round, notching a brace in the 6-3 win over Dartford which kicked it all off, as well as netting the crucial second goal in the 3-1 win over AFC Wimbledon, two rounds before the unforgettable clash with Arsenal.
Other highlights included his bicycle kick against Torquay United and blistering form at the end of the season, including four goals in his final three games, to earn a move to League Two side Coventry City, winning promotion with the Sky Blues in his first season and subsequently jumping up three divisions in just two seasons.
Four years at the CBS Arena preceded a move to Dundee United before hanging up his boots following a brief stint at Doncaster Rovers.
Photo Credit: Paul Loughlin
Hisham Kasimu
French forward Hisham Kasimu appeared for Sutton briefly during the 2023/24 season, making him the most recent Frenchman to appear in amber and chocolate.
After making the journey across the channel, Kasimu’s career began at Brentwood Town before opting to study at Solent University in Southampton. There he joined Team Solent, scoring a number of goals between 2017 and 2019, before joining Blackfield & Langley on a dual-registration deal. A permanent switch to the Watersiders followed, before stints at AFC Totton and Farnborough preceded a switch to the U’s in January 2023, then in League Two, as a result of scoring 31 goals for the former.
Kasimu had to wait until the start of the following season to make his debut though, doing so off the bench in a 1-0 defeat to Gillingham, and proved to be the first of six appearances for the club before returning to Farnborough on loan. He subsequently joined Enfield Town following his release from Sutton, returning to North London after a brief spell back at Farnborough, before rejoining Totton ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
Photo Credit: Paul Loughlin
Bedsenté Gomis
One of the more notable French players to appear for Sutton, Bedsenté Gomis played more than 100 times between 2014 and. 2017.
A real journeyman, Gomis was a trainee at US Quevilly and RC Lens after being spotted playing for local club Mont-Saint-Aignan, and he later spent time in Spain with spells at CD Puertollano and UD Almería, playing a handful times for the club’s B Team in the third tier.
A switch to England followed two-and-a-half seasons later, playing twice for Southend United after spending that entire time without a club, and it was Sutton who then allowed him to resurrect his career, going on to be voted Player of the Year by Sutton supporters at the end of his first season, before helping them win the Conference South title the following year. Having originally debuted for the U’s in an FA Cup Second Qualifying Round clash against FC Romania, he went on to make his 100th in a 1–0 home victory over Wrexham AFC, before playing a key role in the U’s run to the FA Cup Fifth Round in 2016/17.
Following a successful three years at Gander Green Lane, Gomis departed in 2017 for Barrow, and went on to appear for Dover Athletic and Havant & Waterlooville before joining Andorran side Sant Julià, and he later retired after a brief spell back in England with Gosport Borough.
Photo Credit: Paul Loughlin
Gime Touré
French forward Gime Touré scored three times for Sutton during the 2018/19 campaign, including a notable last gasp winner against Ebbsfleet United.
After coming through the ranks at ESA Linas-Montlhéry, Touré spent much of his early career with French sides Stade Brest II, ES Viry-Châtillon, La Roche Vindée and Fontenay, as well as a brief stint at West Bromwich Albion’s academy after he spells with the former two, returning across the channel in 2017 with a switch to Macclesfield Town. He subsequently joined AFC Fylde before opting to join Sutton shortly before the turn of the year, appearing 22 times in the National League and contributing goals against Eastleigh, Ebbsfleet and Hartlepool United.
He evidently impressed those in County Durham as he made the move to the Monkey Hangers ahead of the following season, and has since gone on to play for Carlisle United, Aldershot Town and Yeovil Town before moving across the border to Scottish League One side Cove Rangers, and he most recently has spent the last three years in South-East Europe, racking up 38 goals for Turkish side Göçmenköy İdman Yurdu and Cypriot side Doğan Türk Birliği, currently residing at the latter.
Photo Credit: Paul Loughlin
Baboye Traoré
Paris-born midfielder Baboye Traoré was a U for a fleeting moment within a career that has otherwise entirely taken place in his native France.
After coming through the ranks at Paris FC, spending five years within the Les Blues’ B team, he went on to spend a further six years within the first team before joining the U’s in 2017, making his debut and only league appearance as a substitute against Eastleigh, while his only other appearance came off the bench once more, though within a much more high profile environment, making a brief contribution to the U’s FA Cup giant-killing win against Leeds United.
He later returned to the French capital before turning out for USL Dunkerque and FC 93 Bobingy, before hanging up his boots in 2021/22.
Photo Credit: Paul Loughlin
Noa Boutin
Former AFC Bournemouth wing-back Noa Boutin joined Sutton on a short-term a loan deal from the Cherries in August 2025.
Born in Paris, Boutin began his career in his native France with Régional 2 side AC Boulogne-Billancour, before being offered a place in the Under-18 squad at AFC Bournemouth in 2020.
The left back subsequently gained experience on loan at Poole Town, Weymouth and Gosport Borough whilst continuing his progression to the Under-21s at Dean Court in the summer of 2022.
He later spent the 2024/25 campaign on loan in the National League with Eastleigh, joining initially on a short-term deal, before going on to appear 34 times during a stint at the Silverlake Stadium, and added a further 13 appearances to his name whilst at Sutton, including an impressive debut at home to Carlisle United which yielded the U’s first victory of the 2025/26 season, courtesy of goals from Edon Pruti and David Ogbonna.
He has since departed Bournemouth at the conclusion of his contract, bringing an end to a six-year spell in Dorset.
Photo Credit: Paul Loughlin
Germany 🇩🇪
Germany topped Group A in the UEFA qualification campaign , finishing ahead of Slovakia after a strong campaign of five wins from six matches. They sealed direct qualification in emphatic fashion with a 6–0 victory over Slovakia on the final matchday, securing first place and automatic entry to the tournament co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Omar Bugiel
While technically a Lebanon international, Omar Bugiel was born in Berlin, Germany and spent much of his early life in Western Europe, going on to be a key part of the Sutton side who established themselves in the EFL.
Having initially played cageball, Bugiel moved to Munich at the age of 11 and joined the youth team of 1860 Munich, spending four years with Die Löwen before being released. He subsequently moved to England the following year with the aim of learning English and enrolled at Chichester College in Sussex, setting up the start of his football career with a host of clubs around the county, including Chichester City, Selsey, Bognor Regis Town and Worthing, notably scoring 45 goals in over 100 appearances for the Rebels to earn a move to Forest Green Rovers.
After appearing regularly for the Green during the 2017/18 season he made the switch to South London with a loan move to Bromley in 2018, making it permanent later that year, before making Gander Green Lane his home for the next four years.
Bugiel fired home 22 goals for the U’s as they rose from promotion hopefuls to an established League Two side, with the forward notably becoming Sutton’s first ever goalscorer in the EFL with a header against former club Forest Green.
A successful stint in League Two with the U’s led to him earning a move to AFC Wimbledon, where he currently resides, and has racked up over 100 appearances for the Dons since making the move in 2023.
As for his Lebanese heritage, the striker has racked up 25 caps for the the Cedars since 2017, being eligible to play for the AFC outfit due to his father.
Photo Credit: Paul Loughlin
Ghana 🇬🇭
Ghana secured qualification for the World Cup by finishing first in CAF Group I, achieving eight wins and one loss across ten matches.
Brandon Thomas-Asante
The only former Sutton player going to this summer’s tournement, Brandon Thomas-Asante has enjoyed a successful career at Championship level since joining the U’s on loan in 2018.
A product of the MK Dons academy, Thomas-Asante spent five years in the youth setup before being promoted to the first team in 2016, later joining the U’s on loan during the 2018/19 campaign for his first senior loan. The forward appeared eight times in the National League, picking up a solitary assist in a 2-2 draw with Braintree Town, before closing out his time at Stadium MK with a spell on loan at Oxford City.
A brief stint at Ebbsfleet United then preceded a successful spell at Salford City, making the step into the EFL with the Ammies’ first ever season in the fourth tier, and was a spell that catapulted the forward up the pyramid. He made over 100 appearances during his stint at the Peninsula Stadium before successfully continuing his trajectory with a move to West Bromwich Albion, finishing his maiden campaign as the Baggies’ top goalscorer with nine goals, and he then joined Coventry City after two years at the Hawthorns.
Fast forward to the present, and Thomas-Asante could become the first former Sutton player to appear in the Premier League, being a part of the Sky Blues side who won the Championship under Frank Lampard last term, as well as being named as the division’s Player of the Month for October.
Internationally, the forward was first pre-called up to the Ghana squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, and he later made his debut for the Black Stars in a World Cup qualifier against the Central African Republic the following year.
He has so far received five caps for his country, scoring his first goal in a 2-1 defeat to Nigeria in the 2025 Unity Cup, before being named in the squad for this summer’s World Cup – an opportunity for him to rise to the biggest stage in the entire sport, and we wish our former loanee all the best in North America.
Photo Credit: Paul Loughlin
Bradley Hudson-Odoi
Born in Accra, Ghana, Bradley Hudson-Odoi spent two years at Sutton from 2016, and represented his country at Under-20 level almost a decade prior.
The son of former Hearts of Oak midfielder Bismark Odoi and the older brother of Nottingham Forest forward Callum, football certainly runs in the Hudson-Odoi family, and following their move to England, Bradley began his youth career with Fulham.
He spent seven years in West London before joining Hereford United, carving out a career in non-league which took him to Grays Athleic, Histon and Thurrock, before a brief stint in Hungary with Vasas preceded moves to Metropolitan Police and Wealdstone, prior to his switch to Sutton.
The striker spent some of his time at Gander Green Lane on loan at Maidstone United, Hamptno & Richmond Borough and Eastleigh, but in total appeared 14 times for the U’s including two goals against Dagenham & Redbridge and Bromley, before departing for Hampton on a permanent basis in 2018.
He later returned to Wealdstone before joining Woking, and closed out his career with a return to Ghana, joining Saha in 2021.
Hudson-Odoi was also part of the Ghana Under-20 squad for the 2007 Toulon Tournament – his only contribution to the Black Stars.
Photo Credit: Paul Loughlin
Ali Fuseini
Former defensive midfielder Ali Fuseini played 29 times for Sutton during the 2013/14 season, one of a host of English clubs he played for during his career.
Born in Accra, Fuseini joined Millwall after being spotted playing Sunday League football for Dulmore Albion, based in Brockley Rise. It was there he was seen by Millwall scout Jamie Martin, who signed him up for a scholarship aged 16, and he went on to appear 76 times for the Lions.
After four years at the Den within the first team setup, the midfielder spent a brief period at Lewes before joining Leyton Orient, being an ever-present during the 2010/11 League Two season, before opting to drop into non-league in 2011. Spells at Eastleigh and Bromley preceded a move to Sutton in 2013, before returning to Hayes Lane for another two-year spell in 2014.
He later closed out his career with spells at Margate, Welling United, Greenwich Borough and VCD Athletic.
Photo Credit: Paul Loughlin
Chris Dickson
A man of many, many clubs Chris Dickson made Sutton his 15th club in 2016, playing a brief role in Sutton’s maiden campaign in the National League.
Born from East Dulwich, Dickson earned a move to Charlton Athletic after scoring 35 goals in 75 games for Erith & Belvedere and 26 goals in 34 games for Dulwich Hamlet, and he went on to appear 28 times for the Addicks between 2007 and 2010. After loan moves at Crewe Alexandra, Gillingham and Bristol Rovers, Dickson spent time abroad with Cypriot sides Nea Salamis and AEL Limassol and Chinese side Shanghai Dongya, before returning to England with Dagenham & Redbridge.
A return to Cyprus with Pafos, Enosis Neon Paralimni and Ermis Aradippou was then followed by his second homecoming, joining the U’s in 2016, where he appeared 21 times, including his only goal contribution – an assist in Sutton’s 6-2 win over Dartford at the start of their infamous FA Cup journey.
Since departing Gander Green Lane, Dickson has gone on to turn out for Chelmsford City, Hampton & Richmond Borough, Hornchurch, Dartford, Erith & Belvedere, Cray Wanderers, Billericay Town, Brentwood Town, Chatham Town, Horsham Sittingbourne, Carshalton Athletic and Cray Valley Paper Mills, with the striker still playing to this day at the age of 41, having been teammates of both Noah Nzuzi (Carshalton) and Liam Moore (Cray) last term.
Dickson has also represented Ghana on two occasions, first being named in the initial 40-man squad ahead of the 2008 African Cup of Nations, before eventually making his debut for the Black Stars in August 2008.
Photo Credit: Paul Loughlin
Elvis Hammond
Former striker Elvis Hammond made one appearance for Ghana in 2006, midway through a career that saw him turn out for Sutton briefly four years later.
Born in Accra, Hammond moved to England at the age of six and joined Fulham’s academy at Under-16 level, going on to appear 11 times for the Whites. Loan spells at Bristol Rovers, Norwich City, Dutch side RBC Roosendaal and Leicester City was followed by a permanent switch to the Foxes, racking up eight goals in 58 games, before remaining as an ever-present whilst at Cheltenham Town.
He then joined Sutton in 2010, scoring on his debut against Margate, before departing for Working after making three appearances for the U’s. He enjoyed a far more fruitful spell with the Cards, including a role in their Conference South title-winning campaign, before closing out his career with spells at Farnborough, Hastings United, Eastbourne Borough and Kingstonian, last appearing for the Ks in 2015.
Internationally, Hammond received his first and only cap for Ghana against Mexico in March 2006 in a pre-2006 World Cup friendly.
Photo Credit: Paul Loughlin
Japan 🇯🇵
Japan had a dominant qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup, becoming the first non-host nation to secure their place. They cruised through the AFC qualifiers, winning all six matches in the second round without conceding a goal, and then carried that form into the third round, where strong wins over teams like China, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia ensured qualification with several games to spare. The Samurai Blue finished top of their group comfortably, booking an eighth consecutive World Cup appearance and reinforcing their status as one of Asia’s strongest national teams.
Daniel Matsuazaka
Japan Under-19 international Daniel Matsuazaka appeared nine times for Sutton in 2019.
Born in Barnet, Matsuazaka spent five years at Southend United and gained senior experience at Harlow Town, before briefly joining J2 side Kataller Toyama, based in Tokyo. He returned to England in 2019 with Braintree Town and later appeared nine times for the U’s, playing a minor role in the first half of the 2019/20 campaign.
He later returned to Braintree Town before turning out for Oxford City, Weymouth and Hendon, departing the Greens in 2024 to take a break from football.
In 2015, Matsuzaka was called up to play for Japan Under-19s, playing two friendly matches against Birmingham City Under-21s and Liverpool Under-21s.
Photo Credit: Paul Loughlin
Netherlands 🇳🇱
The Netherlands had a strong UEFA qualifying campaign, producing consistent results and finishing near the top of their group. Their performances kept them in a commanding position throughout the process, putting them on track to secure a place at the 2026 World Cup and continue their long-standing record as regular contenders on the world stage.
Enzio Boldewijn
Ex-Sutton winger Enzio Boldewijn was a notable part of the U’s early days in the EFL, appearing almost 100 times after signing ahead of their maiden campaign in League Two.
Born in Almere, Boldewijn began his career in the youth ranks at SC Voorland and SV Almere before joining FC Utrecht, appearing 11 times for the club’s first team. He spent two years with De Domstedelingen, spending a season out on loan with Den Bosch before joining Almere City on a permanent basis, racking up over 100 appearances across three years with his local side.
The winger subsequently moved to England with Crawley Town and Notts County before joining Sutton in 2021 ahead of the U’s maiden campaign in League Two. He enjoyed a successful stint at Gander Green Lane, scoring three goals in 84 appearances including a spectacular free kick against Rochdale AFC, before dropping into non-league with stints at Eastleigh and Wealdstone. He has most recently joined National League South side Bath City last month.
Photo Credit: Paul Loughlin
Arjan van Sliedregt
Arjan van Sliedregt played six matches for Sutton at the start of the 1988/89 season, after impressing in the reserves. Unfortunately, he broke his leg in a clash with Welling United in October 1988, bringing his season to a premature close.
New Zealand 🇳🇿
New Zealand secured their place at the 2026 World Cup by once again dominating the OFC qualifying tournament. They progressed comfortably through the early stages and confirmed qualification by defeating New Caledonia in the final, maintaining their status as Oceania’s leading side. With the expanded 48-team format giving the region a direct spot, the All Whites booked their ticket to the tournament and continued their streak of regular World Cup participation.
Nik Tzavev
Current Huddersfield Town stopper played for Sutton on loan from AFC Wimbledon during the 2019/20 campaign, and has represented his country twice since 2018.
Born in Wellington, Tzanev moved to England in 2006 and trained with a Chelsea development programme and Hampton & Richmond Borough, before joining the Crystal Palace academy. He later joined Brentford, a place he called home until 2016, and gained senior experience on loan at Lewes during his final season as a Bee.
The goalkeeper subsequently joined Wimbledon upon his release and racked up over 100 appearances for the club, spending five years at Plough Lane in total. An initial loan at Potters Bar Town in 2019 was preceded by a switch to Sutton the same year, establishing himself as the U’s number one between November 2019 and March 2020, notably notching a spectacular assist for Omar Bugiel’s even better first-time volley to fire Sutton ahead inside the opening minute in a 2-0 win over Woking.
After returning to Wimbledon, Tzanev went on to become a key part of the Dons’ side during the 2021/22 and 2o22/23 seasons, before joining Northampton Town in 2024. He has since turned out for Newport County and Huddersfield, where he currently resides, having joined the club in February.
Internationally, Tzanev won his maiden call up to the New Zealand Under-20s for two friendlies against Uzbekistan in April 2015, before making his debut in the second match. He was then selected for the New Zealand squad for the 2015 Under-20 World Cup, held on home turf and he made two appearances as the All Whites reached the last-16, before called up to the Under-23 squad for the 2015 Pacific Games, but failed to make an appearance.
The goalkeeper received his maiden senior international call-up for a friendly match versus Canada in March 2018 and was an unused substitute during the 1–0 defeat, before being named in a youthful squad for the 2018 Intercontinental Cup, making his full international debut with a start in a 1–0 victory over Chinese Taipei. Call-ups for pairs of friendlies in October 2021 and June 2023 respectively yielded no appearances, but more than five years after his first cap, Tzanev won his second with a start in a 1–1 friendly draw with DR Congo, later being named in the 2025 Canadian Shield squad and was an unused substitute in both matches. He won further call-ups in 2025 for pairs of friendlies in October and November, but he remained an unused substitute in all matches.
Photo Credit: Paul Loughlin
Steven Old
From a current New Zealand player to a former one, Steven Old represented the All Whites between 2004 and 2009, and joined Sutton three years later for the 2012/12 season.
Hailing from Palmerston North, the centre back moved to the USA in 2004 and began his College Career in New York with St. John’s Red Storm, before returning to his home country to join YoungHeart Manawatu. Spells at Newcastle Jets and Wellington Phoenix followed, before moving to Scotland with Kilmarnock, and later a loan move to Cowdenbeath.
This was followed by a move across the border, with a brief stint at Basingstoke Town preceding a move to the U’s, where he appeared ten times, making his debut in a 1-0 win over Chelmsford City.
He has since moved across the globe, playing in China for Shijiazhuang Yongchang and in Sweden for Ljungskile SK and GAIS, before returning to England to join Morecambe in 2017. He racked up over 100 appearances for the Shrimps across three years, before returning to Scotland with spells at East Kilbride and Kilwinning Rangers.
For his country, Old captained New Zealand’s Under-17s, as well as being a part of the Under-20s and Under-23s before progressing to the senior team, making his debut in a 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Australia. He scored his first international goal in February 2006 in a 1–0 victory against Malaysia, and was later included in the New Zealand squad for the Summer Olympics in Beijing, playing in two of their three group matches against China and Belgium, before being named in the squad for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup.
Photo Credit: Paul Loughlin
Portugal 🇵🇹
Portugal had a strong World Cup qualifying campaign, securing qualification with four wins and only one defeat to top Group F, coming out ahead of Ireland, Hungary and Armenia.
Herson Alves
Former Brentford midfielder Herson Alves turned out for Sutton briefly on loan in 2016.
The 29-year old was picked up by the Bees from Scottish side Inverness Caledonian Thistle in 2014, having previously played for SL Benfica in his native Portugal during his early teens. He was notably a part of the Brentford team that won the prestigious Milk Cup tournament in Northern Ireland in 2012 and signed his first professional contract until the summer of 2016 in February of the previous year.
He joined Sutton on loan and appeared once in a 6-0 defeat to Dover Athletic, as well as being an unused substitute in the FA Cup Second Round win against Cheltenham Town.
After departing Griffin Park, Alves enjoyed spells at Maidenhead United, Walton Casuals, Arlesey Town, Cray Wanderers, Cheshunt, Metropolitan Police, Hanwell Town, Enfield Town, Hayes & Yeading United and Haringey Borough, where he currently resides.
Photo Credit: Paul Loughlin
Scotland 🏴
Scotland topped their qualification group to secure their passage to the World Cup, securing wins over Denmark, Belarus and Greece and finishing with only one defeat.
Craig McAllister
Glasgow-born striker Craig McAllister appeared for Sutton between 2015 and 2017.
Despite hailing from the northern side of the border, McAllister carved out a career in non-league which began on the English South Coast, joining Eastleigh in 2001. He went on to appear for Basingstoke Town, Stevenage Borough, Gravesend & Northfleet, Woking, Grays Athletic, Rushden & Diamonds and Oxford United, before jumping into the EFL with a move to Exeter City.
Stints at Barnet, Rotherham United, Crawley Town and Newport County were then followed by a loan move to Luton Town, later returning to Eastleigh in 2012, making over 100 appearances during his third stint at Ten Acres. A switch to Sutton then saw him rack up 34 appearances, becoming a regular part of the side during the middle of the 2016/17 season after a loan spell at Eastbourne Borough.
A fourth stint at Eastleigh then followed, before turning out for Gosport Borough and Blackfield & Langley, before returning to the former as player-manager, and later brought the curtains down on his career with spells at Alresford Town, Lymington Town, Baffins Milton Rovers, Hythe & Dibden and Brockenhurst.
Photo Credit: Paul Loughlin
George McLennan
Scottish left back George McLennan briefly appeared for Sutton during the 2016/17 season.
The 23-year-old started his early career at Gillingham and Reading, before spending time on loan at Hayes & Yeading United in the National League South during 2015.
He later signed for Cheltenham Town in the National League and made over 30 appearances in the Robins’ title-winning centurion season, before joining the U’s in 2016. He appeared four times under Paul Doswell, making two starts over Southport and York City either side a cameo off the bench against Maidstone United, before starting the 6-3 win over Dartford that kick-started their FA Cup campaign.
McLennan subsequently joined Ashford Town (Middlesex), Maidstone, Billericay Town, Wealdstone and Havant & Waterlooville, before hanging up his boots in 2022.
He has also represented Scotland at youth level, appearing three times for the Under-19s.
Photo Credit: Paul Loughlin
Paul Telfer
Former Premier League right back Paul Telfer ended a successful 26-year career at Sutton, having also represented his country once at senior level.
Born in Edinburgh, Telfer joined Luton Town in 1988 and made over 150 competitive appearances, subsequently becoming a key part of the side at a number of his future clubs, including Coventry City and Southampton, being a member of the Saints side who reached the 2003 FA Cup Final.
Having established his long association with future Scotland manager Gordon Strachan at Coventry, the 69-year old subsequently brought Telfer to Celtic in 2005 where he won two Scottish League championships, before joining AFC Bournemouth after two years at Parkside. Additional stints at Leeds United and Slough Town preceded his move to Sutton in 2011, where he remained for three years and racked up 46 appearances, spending the latter period of his time at Gander Green Lane in a player-coach capacity.
Internationally, Telfer was capped once by Scotland in a friendly match against France in March 2000, having previously represented the Under-21s and the B Team.
Photo Credit: Paul Loughlin
Senegal 🇸🇳
Senegalese forward Papa Gueye spent much of his career in lower league football across Europe, including a stint at Sutton in 2016/17.
After coming to Europe in 2007 in France, Gueye began his European journey in the youth setup at Girondins de Bordeaux, before joining Belgian outits Eendracht Aalst and Union Saint-Gilloise. A brief move to Oceania with Vanuatuan Amicale preceded moves to Malta with Sliema Wanderers and Naxxar Lions, before returning to France with JA Drancy.
This was followed by a move to England, joining Sutton where he appeared twice in the FA Trophy, as well as scoring once in a friendly against Dartford in July 2017, before joining Whitehawk in 2018.
Photo Credit: Paul Loughlin
Switzerland 🇨🇭
Switzerland qualified for the World Cup as group winners, topping group B with an unbeaten run, including four wins over Kosovo, Slovenia and Sweden.
Davide Rodari
While he identifies himself as Italian – a nation who have failed to qualify for their third consecutive World Cup – former Sutton striker Davide Rodari was born in Lugano, Switzerland, a stone’s throw away from his hometown in Novara.
Rodari progressed through the youth academies of Inter Milan, Novara, Pro Vercelli and Lugano before relocating to England in 2016 to join Eastbourne Borough’s youth setup, later signing for Chris Agutter’s Hastings United in February 2017. He became a key player across four seasons under Agutter, notching around 41 goals in 89 appearances and famously netting eight in a single cup match against East Grinstead in November 2019. His form saw him earn a move to League Two club Crawley Town before enjoying successive loan spells at Worthing, Dorking Wanderers and Dartford, and he subsequently returned to Hastings in August 2023 to link up with Agutter once more, following his release from Crawley.
There, he reaffirmed his goalscoring credentials across an extremely fruitful two seasons at the Pilot Field, including 18 league goals in 2024/25. He also broke Hastings’ goalscoring record, notching almost 40 the previous year, and saw him receive a host of plaudits for his instinct in front of goal.
As such, Rodari returned to the National League South with a move to Hampton & Richmond Borough last summer, scoring four goals in the opening six games of the season, before scoring three times for Sutton following his move to the U’s in December 2025, including a brace in the Surrey Senior Cup against Horley Town to follow on from his first goal against Tamworth.
He is now set to join Dagenham & Redbridge following his release from Sutton, beginning on 1st July, alongside Kane Crichlow and Liam Vincent, who have both been sold to Lee Allinson’s side this summer.
Photo Credit: Paul Loughlin
United States 🇺🇸
The United States qualified automatically for the 2026 World Cup as one of the tournament’s three co-hosts alongside Canada and Mexico. As such, they secured their place by virtue of hosting, while still using a number of friendlies to prepare for the tournament.
Jordan Adebayo-Smith
Current Minnesota United forward Jordan Adebay0-Smith enjoyed a brief stint at Sutton in 2020/21 – his final club in England before returning to the States later that year.
Hailing from California, Adebayo-Smith initially came to the UK with trials at Cambridge United and Watford, before joining Lincoln City on a two-year scholarship. After making his First Team debut for the Imp – a start in a 2-2 draw with Accrington Stanley – the forward embarked on a handful of loan spells, joining Grantham Town, Boston and Gainsborough Trinity. His single goal for the Pilgrims came against former club Grantham in the Lincolnshire Senior Cup Semi-Final, before having his contract at his parent club terminated the following year.
He subsequently dropped into non-league with a move to Sutton, where he appeared just once for the club in a 1-0 defeat to Chesterfield, before returning to America after just four months at Gander Green Lane.
Adebayo-Smith later turned out for Tampa Ray Rowdies, New England Revolution II and Minnesota, where he currently resides, appearing for both the First Team and the Reserve Team of the Loons.
Photo Credit: Paul Loughlin
