“My eyes were coming out of their sockets”: the joys and sorrows of selections for a World Cup

None of the players on an England shortlist really have the heart to put down their cell phone when a final manager announcement draws near. For some, the ringtone means a trip to the World Cup (or the Euros); for others, it seals the summer spent at home. Five former internationals and BBC pundits recount these decisive moments which can either be the pinnacle of a career or mark a profound disillusionment.

Micah Richards – “I Just Wanted to Cry”

Two days after Manchester City's Premier League title in May 2012, Micah Richards thought he would continue the party by learning his place for the Euro. A regular starter at City (23 starts that season) and recalled during the previous match under Stuart Pearce, Richards saw himself in Ukraine and Poland. When his cell phone rang, it was Pearce's name that appeared. The latter told him that Roy Hodgson would not take him. Richards, upset, initially thought it was a mistake: he was offered a place as an alternate and, at the same time, the possibility of being selected for the London Olympics with Pearce. Choosing the Olympiad, he then saw the press distort the story and, above all, he would no longer be remembered by Hodgson. Richards went from a dream of 70–80 caps to an international career that ended at 13 caps, his last appearance dating back to his 23rd birthday.

Stephen Warnock – “I didn’t expect to go”

In 2010, when Ashley Cole was the undisputed starter at left back, Stephen Warnock was on the pre-list and spent choice day waiting for the announced call. Despite a delicate ankle and the absence of minutes during the friendly preparation matches against Mexico and Japan, Warnock did everything possible to convince in training camp: repeated treatments and training while being content to be strapped. It was finally Franco Baldini, Fabio Capello's assistant, who called him to announce his selection. We explained to him that we appreciated his professionalism and his attitude, and that he would be an ideal replacement. Curiously, a public clue had already leaked the day before: the equipment manufacturer Umbro had had “tailored by” frescoes painted with the players' numbers, and one of them bore Warnock's number.

Joe Hart – “I was ready, bags packed”

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England's most capped goalkeeper at the time of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup (75 caps and holder of ten qualifying matches), Joe Hart could not imagine being left out. However, during the final announcement, Gareth Southgate informed him the day before that he would not be traveling and that Nick Pope was being retained instead, then uncapped. Hart recalls that he was “ready, packed,” and learning of the omission came as a severe shock. He then tried to step back — even playing cricket at home — and cheered for the team, but now finds that decision ended his time with the Three Lions.

Theo Walcott – “My eyes were popping out of their sockets”

Probably one of the most surprising selections, that of Theo Walcott at 17 for the 2006 World Cup by Sven-Göran Eriksson remains fondly remembered. Without having played a minute in the Premier League, Walcott, in the process of taking his highway code test (phone turned off), heard the news from his father and admits to being stunned: “my eyes were popping out of their sockets”. He did not play a single minute in Germany in 2006. Four years later, for the 2010 World Cup, the outcome was different: in the middle of a golf game, Walcott received the call from Capello telling him that he would not be leaving for South Africa. Very disappointed, he admitted to having a tear, before embarking on “the best round of golf” he had ever played.

Martin Keown – “We were sitting around the pool”

The example of Glenn Hoddle in 1998 illustrates the risk of a face-to-face announcement. In an attempt at personal communication, Hoddle brought players in for one-on-one interviews to narrow down his group. The approach went wrong when Paul Gascoigne, informed of his omission, flew in a fit and damaged the coach's room. Martin Keown, called up shortly afterwards, entered a messy room and was then told he was in the squad for the World Cup. Keown learns from this: sometimes, a phone call, no matter how impersonal, avoids more dramatic scenes.

These testimonies show to what extent the announcement of a selection can swing between total euphoria and deep distress. For players, it is often a decisive moment, which marks well beyond the summer in question – for better or for worse.