Manx International Football Alliance’s Ellan Vannin team starts its quest for glory today (Thursday) in the ConIFA World Cup.

The Paddy Power-sponsored biennial competition is taking place at various venues around London and kicks off with three simultaneous games at midday.

Chris Bass Sr’s Ellan Vannin - who finished as runners-up in the inaugural edition in 2014 - have been drawn in Group One where they will face hosts Barawa, Tamil Eelam and Cascadia.

The Manx kick off their campaign against the latter side from North America at Sutton United’s Gander Green Lane ground, which has a capacity of 5,000 people.

Further group games follow against Tamil Eelam in Carshalton at 5pm on Saturday before taking on ’hosts’ Barawa at Coles Park in Haringey at 3pm on Sunday.

The opening match of the tournament is to be refereed by World Cup and FIFA referee Mark Clattenburg.

Bass’s squad has undergone a few alterations since it was announced recently, with several players withdrawing through injury after what has been a long and demanding domestic season.

Peel duo Daniel Bell and recently-crowned Isle of Man FA Player of the Year Lee Gale, plus St George’s Julian Ringham and Sligo Rovers star Seamus Sharkey have all been forced to withdraw through injury and other commitments.

Therefore, Laxey’s Andy Burkitt plus Corinthians duo Tom Callister and Brody Patience are all late inclusions to the squad on the back of impressive campaigns for their respective clubs, the latter also for UHV Jaguars in Texas.

Captain Frank Jones spoke to the Manx Independent earlier this week and said he’s hoping to put the Isle of Man on the map, given the worldwide buzz surrounding the tournament.

’I am really looking forward to this competition. It’s always great to play for Ellan Vannin and put the Isle of Man on the map. Paddy Power, the main sponsor, has got right behind ConIFA and is looking to put on a great tournament.

’The mood in the camp is great. It’s mainly made up with Corinthians and St George’s lads who have all been flying towards the end of the season.

’It’s not great that players like Seamus, Liam Doyle and Conor Doyle can’t make it, then there were last-minute pull outs from Julian (Ringham), Bell and Gale with injuries.

’However, it’s a very strong squad and it’s giving young lads the chance to step up to the plate on the "big stage" Players like Sean Doyle, Ste Whitley and Dan Simpson have all been in great form for Corinthians so I just hope they can carry it into this competition.

’Results wise I would be hoping to get out the group then just see from there - quarter-finals, semi-final and the final, one game at a time.

’It’s been a long, drawn-out season after a terrible start with weather meaning loads of games towards the end. It’s not helped with a few of the players missing out with injuries.

’On the other hand, if you fit there is nothing better than game time so it could help us in London with being match sharp.

’The first ground we play at is Sutton which was famous for the pie-eating in last season’s FA Cup against Arsenal (when goalkeeper Wayne Shaw was subsequently fired for eating a pie in the dugout) - that will be good to play in as it looks like a great venue.

’All in all, I think we have a good squad and I’m sure all the players will give 100 per cent. That’s all the coaching staff can ask for and that will take us as far as possible - hopefully winning it.’

Ellan Vannin squad: Dean Kearns (Rushen United), Andy Perry (St George’s), Mike Williams (Rushen United), Dan Simpson (Corinthians), Andy Burkitt (Laxey), Frank Jones (St George’s), Joey Morling (St George’s), Ciaran McNulty (St George’s), Joey Quayle (St George’s), Furo Davies (St George’s), Ste Whitley (Corinthians), Sam Caine (St George’s), Brody Patience (Corinthians), Tom Callister (Corinthians), Sean Quaye (St George’s), Sean Doyle (Corinthians), Ryan Burns (Corinthians), Darren Cain (Corinthians), Cameron Lee (Corinthians), Alex Holden (Bottersford Town), Joel Ibanez (St George’s), Jack McVey (St George’s).