Albion academy duo Joe Wallis and Noah DuPont have been included in the New Zealand squad for the FIFA U-20 World Cup tournament in Chile.
The competition, which commences at the end of September, will see two young Baggies push to represent their nation on the big stage.
Shot-stopper Wallis is into his second season at The Hawthorns having left his Oceanic roots to jet across the globe and join Albion as a professional in September 2024 - penning a two-year-deal.
Since relocating to England, the 20-year-old has benefitted from the games programme in a different country - playing plenty of matches in the PL2 side over the 2024/25 campaign, before providing competition in Ryan Mason's senior squad this season as third-choice 'keeper.
And his inclusion in the young Kiwis' group for the prestigious tournament will mark another proud chapter in Wallis' early career but, similarly, it's nothing new for the man between the sticks - who made his debut for the national team's U20 side in July 2024.
DuPont's inclusion in the Kiwis' U20 World Cup squad is equally eye-catching given the defender's youthfulness at just 17-years-old.
Although still a youngster in footballing terms, the defender has shown maturity during his time at the Baggies - which started when he was six years old - playing up in the 21s last term while also excelling in his own age group at U18s level, playing a prominent part in their run to the 2024/25 FA Youth Cup quarter-finals.
Those positive impressions led to DuPont being rewarded with his first professional contract in April 2025 and since the beginning of the 2025/26 term, Noah has helped the 18s have a positive start to the campaign while also starting the PL2 team's last two matches against Crystal Palace and National League side, Boreham Wood.
Noah made his international bow when he was 15 during the U17 FIFA World Cup in 2023, and the centre-back will be keen to feature in the U20 competition having made his debut for the higher age group last June against Chile.
Before heading to Santiago for the tournament, Wallis and DuPont's nation will prepare with a warm-up clash against South Korea on Monday, September 22, prior to beginning their U20 World Cup campaign against the host nation on Sunday, September 28 (ko 12am). Further clashes with Egypt (Tuesday, September 30 - ko 9pm) and Japan (Saturday, October 4 - ko 12am) will follow.
We wish Joe and Noah all the best during their time with New Zealand's youngsters!
Our squad has been named for the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2025, kicking off this month in Chile 🏆🇳🇿 pic.twitter.com/LZy1SDIl9q
— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) September 11, 2025
