What really happens when you get called up for a World Cup? England legends reveal truth behind agonising wait
Published 21/05/2026 at 14:27 GMT+1
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The 2026 World Cup is fast approaching, but before all the action unfolds, hopeful players will learn whether or not they have done enough to represent their countries on the sport’s grandest stage.
'Nightmare' for managers, 'incredible' for players - England stars recall World Cup call-ups
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For some, it could be the culmination of a lifelong dream. For others, it will be a dream dashed or even shattered, depending on where they are in their careers.
So, how does it feel to be waiting in the wings, with your fate in someone else’s hands? We spoke to former England internationals Joe Hart and Martin Keown to find out exactly what that mix of anticipation and trepidation is like.
Recalling how he felt before being selected by Fabio Capello for the 2010 World Cup, Hart told TNT Sports: ”My first one I got called up to, I wasn't sure how that was going to play out. I wasn't sure if I was going to make the squad.
”So I was in the preliminary squad in 2010. They took four goalkeepers I think. Fabio Capello took a big squad. I was battling for the third choice, basically, just to get on the trip, which was an incredible achievement.
”I actually can't remember how he whittled it down. All I knew is I was getting on the plane, and that was all that mattered to me.”
Although Hart did not make an England appearance during the tournament, he went on to earn 75 caps for his country during a stellar career.
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Another stalwart of the national team, albeit from a previous generation, was tenacious centre-back Keown.
The Arsenal defender made his debut in 1992 under Graham Taylor and played all three matches in a dismal European Championship that year as England finished bottom of their group.
Keown then lost his place when Terry Venables took over, meaning he did not feature for England from 1994 to 1996.
But when Venables departed after Euro 1996, Keown revived his international career, making Glenn Hoddle’s 1998 World Cup squad, Kevin Keegan’s Euro 2000 squad and Sven-Goran Eriksson’s World Cup 2002 squad at the age of 35.
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”With Glenn, we all went to La Manga and we had an enlarged training session group,” Keown began. ”We basically were told to go and meet the manager for a meeting. And in that meeting, you were told whether you were going to the World Cup or going home.
”Six players went home. And that all happened before I got there. Gazza sort of blew the whistle on that, because he reacted to not going. It was a massive story.
”I think on to Sven when I went in 2002 I found out through the media, and [Arsene] Wenger had told me that I was going [and] confirmed that. And we were doing a procession, having won the double the next day, and then I found out I was in the England squad.
”So it was all a magical time, winning those trophies, going to a World Cup at nearly 36 years of age. I think I was the eighth-oldest outfield player to take all the goalkeepers away. I'm still proud of that to have played at that age.”
Hoddle: Tuchel faces ‘nightmare’ month
Fast-forward to 2026 and England have another chance to end their 60-year wait for a major trophy.
England have friendlies at home to New Zealand and Costa Rica before they begin their campaign against Croatia on June 17, but the preparation will mostly have been done by Thomas Tuchel and his coaching staff.
But that does not mean there will be time to relax. In fact, former England manager Hoddle admitted the build-up is arguably the toughest part of it.
”When you're in the process of [being in] an England squad for a World Cup, it's a horrible time,” Hoddle said. ”It really is horrible because every weekend, you're sending scouts out to go and watch the players that you're trying to build into the squad.
”And you've also got to have a B plan as well, because you're hoping no one gets injured. That is the problem. Every game it was, ‘More importantly, were they injured? No, everything's fine. Oh, how did they play?’
”So it was always that month before was an absolute nightmare. And I know what Thomas is going through, and every international manager.”
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