Lionel Messi’s famed playground is soon to come around again, and when it does, the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be staged rather close to home. Spanning Mexico, the United States and Canada, every nation dotted in and around the Americas wants to be a part of the competition.
With 48 invites going out and Antigua and Barbuda notching an important draw against Bermuda on June 5 to commence a battle for second in Group A of qualifying, there’s at least a hope that the Benna Boys will compete in the third round.
Potentially helping that effort may be these two players who’ve impressed over in England this season.
Dion Pereira Impressing with an Eye on Next Season
Signed as a free agent by Luton Town after being released by Atlanta of the MLS, Dion Pereira has continued to show enough potential for The Hatters to keep him on their books. This season, he’s been out on-loan to Dagenham and Redbridge, with his efforts earning the left-winger a call-up to the national team on November 11.
Pereira’s performances for Dag & Red FC have certainly enhanced his standing for national team selection. In his opening 33 games for the National League side, he put up ten goals and six assists, including a goal and an assist in the season opener against Rhys Browne’s former club and the opener in a tight 3-2 win over Aldershot Town.
At the 36-game-mark, Dag & Red were sitting 19th in the table, just one point ahead of Wealdstone in the relegation places. So, they’ll be hoping for Pereira to keep up his scoring. The 25-year-old’s parent club, Luton Town, are in much hotter water in the Championship.
Struggles since being relegated have seen Luton only amass 34 points in 37 games to sit in 23rd in the table. As of March 14, the sports betting outrights have them as the second-favorites to go down. At -222, only Plymouth Argyle (-1667) are more favored to go down, per the odds.
That said, Derby County (+100) and Cardiff City (+120) were only a win away from Luton at the time of writing, putting them in striking distance of a leapfrog. On March 11, Luton dragged Cardiff by beating them 2-1. For Pereira, though, Luton going down would increase his prospects of playing for the Hatters in League One.
Luther James-Wildin Adapted Well to League One
Earning himself a new contract for his efforts in the 2022/23 season, Luther James-Wildin was a big part of getting Stevenage into League One that season, as well as pulling the newly promoted team to ninth in 2023/24. Last season, floating between starting at right back and right midfield, he put up two goals and an assist in 31 league games. This season, he was once again a go-to starter, only this time he’d feature predominantly at right back or would be asked to fill in at center back.
The defender, with two caps for Antigua and Barbuda, suffered a pretty serious knee injury after getting an assist in the 1-0 win over Barnsley on January 25, and has since missed eight games at the time of writing. However, it’s thought next season he’ll come back stronger.
This season, both Pereira and James-Wildin have performed admirably for their clubs in the English football pyramid, and next season could present them both with ample opportunities to impress in League One together.
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