Rio Ngumoha has been shortlisted for one of the most prestigious awards in English soccer, with the Liverpool teenager potentially on the verge of making his international debut
11:18, 05 Jun 2026
Liverpool's English striker #73 Rio Ngumoha leaves the pitch after being substituted off during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Brentford at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on May 24, 2026. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
Rio Ngumoha enjoyed a breakthrough season at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
Rio Ngumoha’s stock continues to rise after the Liverpool teenager was nominated for the 2026 PFA Young Player of the Year award.
Ngumoha enjoyed a breakthrough campaign during the 2025/26 season, playing 29 times for the Reds and scoring two goals in the process, including a dramatic stoppage-time winner against Newcastle which saw him become the club’s youngest ever scorer.
The 17-year-old has been rewarded for his development with a call-up to train with England’s World Cup squad ahead of the start of the tournament in the United States, with yet more recognition arriving back at home in the UK.
Ngumoha is one of six names in the running for the PFA award, which is considered to be the most prestigious of the individual awards on offer to Premier League players.
The Liverpool star is up against Manchester City's Rayan Cherki and Nico O'Reilly, Arsenal's Max Dowman, Bournemouth's Eli Junior Kroupi and Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo for the award, with the winner set to be announced on August 25.
Despite not being named in England’s World Cup squad, Ngumoha could be in line to make his senior international debut in the coming days. Thomas Tuchel’s side will play warm-up games against New Zealand on Saturday and Costa Rica on Wednesday before getting its tournament underway against Croatia on June 17.
WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - JUNE 02: Rio Ngumoha and Josh King of England react as they work out in the gym on June 02, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Rio Ngumoha has been in training with England's World Cup squad(Image: Eddie Keogh - The FA, The FA via Getty Images)
"We will take some young players out who will train with us and keep the squad at the size we need so we have all the possibilities for the two friendly matches to take care about the minutes and load of the players,” Tuchel explained.
"I am happy that these guys are with us, especially Alex [Scott] who was on the list of 55 and had a disappointing phone call as well that he didn't make the first cut."
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The nominees for the PFA Player of the Year award have also been announced, with no Liverpool stars making the shortlist after a poor campaign, which resulted in Arne Slot losing his job Andoni Iraola being appointed as his replacement.
Premier League champion Arsenal is represented by three players, with Declan Rice, Gabriel Magalhaes and David Raya all nominated, while Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki are also shortlisted.
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Bruno Fernandes is also in the running, with the Manchester United captain looking to claim a third individual honor after being crowned the Premier League's player of the season and the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year.