A West Ham United player is off to a World Cup with England for the first time since 2010 in Declan Rice. So, who were the last Irons to represent the Three Lions on the FIFA stage?
Rice has been a vital part of Gareth Southgate’s team since the Hammers product enjoyed his England debut in March 2019. The 23-year-old has started 31 of his 34 caps so far from 43 games. He also opened all seven of their ties en route to a defeat in the Euro 2020 final.
The European Championship saw Rice cement his authority on the international scene as the leader of England’s engine room. He held Southgate’s system together and protected the Three Lions’ defenders tremendously well. He also offered an intelligent passing range.
Rice can be the first West Ham star since 2010 to play for England at a World Cup
Now, West Ham captain Rice will travel to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup as England look to build on their fourth-place finish at Russia 2018. Southgate guided the Three Lions to their best result since Italia 90. Now, he has eyes on their first title since their only one in 1966.
England kick off their Group B campaign at Qatar 2022 on November 21 against Iran at the Khalifa International Stadium. The United States of America then await at Al Bayt Stadium on the 25th. The Three Lions will face Wales last at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium on the 29th.
Rice featuring in any fixture in Qatar will make the former Republic of Ireland international the first West Ham player to feature for England at a World Cup since 2010. Roy Hodgson for Brazil 2014 and Southgate for Russia 2018 opted against calling up a single Irons talent.
So, with England’s Group B curtain-raiser with Iran nearing and Rice preparing for his flight to Qatar, who were the last West Ham stars to play for the Three Lions in a World Cup tie?
Capello took two West Ham players to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa
Fabio Capello named two West Ham players in England’s squad for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The Italian included goalkeeper Rob Green and defender Matthew Upson in their 23-man squad. Both players would also enjoy appearances through the tournament.
Green played between the sticks as England kicked off their Group C campaign against the USA in Phokeng, near Rustenburg. But the 12-cap shot-stopper made a horrific error in the 40th minute to gift Clint Dempsey an equaliser after Steven Gerrard’s fourth-minute effort.
The match was Green’s World Cup debut and would prove to be the only match he would ever enjoy at a FIFA tournament. Capello axed the Chertsey native for David James after he let a tame shot from Dempsey slip through his fingers and into the net to claim a 1-1 draw.
Upson watched his West Ham teammate’s nightmare from the bench and they shared the dugout against Algeria. Capello then introduced the centre-half for his World Cup debut in a 1-0 win over Slovenia. Upson kept his role as England lost 4-1 to Germany in the last 16.
Three Hammers boarded the Three Lions flight to Japan and South Korea in 2002
Three West Ham players boarded England’s flight to Japan and South Korea for the 2002 World Cup. Sven-Goran Eriksson named James, Trevor Sinclair and Joe Cole among his 23-man squad. But James would not feature in any of the Three Lions’ five encounters in Asia.
Sinclair watched England’s opening Group F match with Sweden finish as a 1-1 draw as an unused substitute. But Eriksson was forced to introduce the winger in just the 19th minute against Argentina after Owen Hargreaves suffered a shin injury that ended his tournament.
Hargreaves’ loss was very much to Sinclair’s gain as Eriksson then started the Irons forward against Nigeria, Denmark and Brazil. But he was unable to offer a single goal or an assist in 307 minutes of action. Cole, meanwhile, only played the final 16 minutes against Sweden.
Ferdinand ensured one West Ham player travelled with England to France 1998
Rio Ferdinand ensured at least one West Ham player went with England to the 1998 World Cup in France. The centre-half made his Three Lions debut in November 1997 and went on to enjoy 81 caps for his country. But he did not feature for a single second at France 1998.
Alvin Martin enjoyed a brief spell in the Three Lions’ defence at Mexico 1986
Alvin Martin enjoyed a brief spell in England’s defence at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico as a West Ham player. The centre-half started as the Thee Lions’ beat Paraguay 3-0 in the last 16. But Sir Bobby Robson dropped him back to the bench before they lost 2-1 to Argentina.
So, with Rice off to Qatar 2022, the West Ham captain can join Green, Upson, Sinclair, Cole and Martin in being an active Hammers player to feature for England at a World Cup finals.
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