The postcards arrive from a lifetime ago: faded photographs of boys in mismatched kits, goals scored on muddy pitches, team photos from primary schools. They line the walls of England’s World Cup headquarters, each one carrying the message that “every story starts somewhere”. Beside them, a map of England marks the precise spot where every member of the squad took their first footballing steps.
FA chiefs have decorated the team’s base with these childhood mementos, hoping to remind the players how far they have come. The map shows Jordan Henderson, playing in his sixth major tournament, began at Fulwell Juniors on Wearside. His childhood neighbour Jordan Pickford, the goalkeeper, started at Washington Envelopes. Both came through the ranks at Sunderland.
“England’s World Cup HQ features childhood postcards and a map showing where every squad member started their football journey.”
Henderson told the Mirror the squad is bonding by watching matches together and playing games like Imposter. “We have an app with Imposter on it and we play that on the bus to training,” he said. “The imposter needs to pretend that he has the word that we have all got. There is a good vibe, it is a really good environment, a really good culture in the group.” He added that they “cannot wait to get started”.
The map also reveals the Midlands roots of Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers. Bellingham, from Stourbridge, was a star for Hayley Primary School; Rogers, of Halesowen, first played for Halas Hawks JFC. Both later represented England in the junior ranks, Bellingham playing in an older age group because of his prodigious talent. The two school friends have been joking about their childhood rivalry.
Dan Burn, the giant Newcastle United defender enjoying his first World Cup at 34, started his career at Blyth Spartans. Fellow Geordie Elliot Anderson, 23, from Whitley Bay, was discovered at Wallsend Boys Club, which once nurtured Alan Shearer and Michael Carrick.
Former Merseyside rivals Anthony Gordon, once of Everton, played for Whiston Juniors, while Jarell Quansah, the former Liverpool player, began at Woolston Rovers. Manchester is well represented: Kobbie Mainoo (Cheadle Gatley JFC), Marcus Rashford (Fletcher Moss Rangers) and Nico O’Reilly (Moston Tigers) all celebrate their Mancunian roots.
Goalkeepers Dean Henderson and James Trafford both hail from Cumbria – Dean at Whitehaven Miners, James at Cockermouth FC. The players have been training in 24C (75F) temperatures, with Thomas Tuchel now at the helm, captured in a light moment with Ollie Watkins.
The message is clear: every story starts somewhere. For these 26 players, the next chapter begins on the greatest stage of all.