John McGreal's side qualified for the tournament for the first time after finishing fifth in their inaugural Premier League 2 campaign in 2025/26.

Launched in 2014/15, the competition gives the country’s leading academies the chance to test themselves against some of Europe’s most promising young talent.

It features the top 16 finishers from Premier League 2 and 16 invited international sides from across Europe.

Borussia Dortmund are the current holders of the trophy after they beat Real Madrid 1-0 in the final at Wycombe Wanderers' Adams Park in May.

Ipswich Town U21s are playing in the Premier League International Cup for the first time. (Image: Ross Halls)

FORMAT

The group stage consists of four groups with eight teams, with four PL2 and four invited international clubs in each group.

Each club will play four group-stage games against their international foes with all the fixtures hosted in England, with the top two in each group advancing to the quarter-finals.

The competition also allows three over-age outfield players and one overage goalkeeper on the team sheet.

TOWN'S OPPONENTS

The young Blues have been drawn into Group D which sees them face Belgian club Anderlecht, Dutch side PSV Eindhoven, Portuguese outfit Porto - who have previously won the competition twice - and French giants Paris Saint Germain.

All fixtures will be played at Portman Road.

Also in their group are Brighton, Crystal Palace and Sunderland - but Town will only face the four European invitees at this stage.

Tudor Mendel joined Ipswich Town from RSCA Futures in 2024. (Image: Ross Halls)

FIRST UP

European football returnsto Portman Road after two decades with them facing Anderlecht's reserve side, RSCA Futures, who compete in the Challenger Pro League – Belgium’s second tier – against senior professional sides and other reserve teams.

It has been a difficult start to their 2026/27 league campaign as they sit bottom of the table after the opening seven games, losing six.

They have recently undergone a change in the dugout as Karim Mokeddem replaced Jelle Coen as their head coach at the end of last month.

The Belgian side kicked off their Premier League International Cup with a 4-1 win at Crystal Palace last week.

MATCH DETAILS

The game kicks off at 7pm, with tickets available to purchase for just £3 for adults, £1 for U19s and free for season ticket holders and members.