It’s a long way from the Essex Alliance Football League to the 2026 World Cup, but while the leaders, FC Baresi, host Haringey Borough Under-23s in the 11th tier of English football this weekend, their star midfielder Marvin Hamilton will, fitness permitting, be in action for Sri Lanka against Yemen in Saudi Arabia.
These are exciting times for 20 Asian nations involved in the first round of qualification. Hamilton’s job is to help Sri Lanka go as far as possible on the road to North America. It won’t be easy; they are the lowest-ranked team in Asia, down in the 200s, but are daring to dream of victory over Yemen in their two-leg encounter.
