In the big time: which Non-League players have represented England at a World Cup?

With former Kettering Town and Tamworth striker Callum Wilson the latest to represent England in Qatar 2022, here is a look at three players who have gone from the Non-League to the World Cup.

Chris Smalling

Current Roma player Chris Smalling started his career far from the Italian capital, making his first senior move to Non-League side Maidstone United in 2007. After a year in Kent, the centre-back made his move to Fulham, where he gained international recognition that landed him a move to Premier League giants Manchester United and eventually a call-up to Roy Hodgson’s England squad for the 2014 World Cup. Unfortunately for Smalling, he only featured once in Brazil, in a drab 0-0 affair against Costa Rica on matchday three. 

The Three Lions crashed out at the group stages of that tournament with just a point to their name, but some improved performances since then saw their World Cup betting odds to win the 2022 World Cup fall to 8/1 before a ball was kicked in Qatar. Unfortunately for Gareth Southgate’s side, current holders France eliminated them in the quarter-final stage to eventually set up a final with Lionel Messi’s Argentina, and Les Bleus boast Argentina v France odds of 7/4 to retain their crown. Smalling’s absence in Qatar means his chances of major tournament football are likely behind him, as his focus turns to climbing up the Serie A table with Jose Mourinho’s Roma.

Jose Mourinho believes Gareth Southgate should consider recalling Chris Smalling for England ahead of the World Cup. pic.twitter.com/tpV419ofGJ

— SPORTbible (@sportbible) October 18, 2022

Joe Hart

While many know Joe Hart for his time at Manchester City – and most recently for appearing in the Champions League with Celtic – the shot stopper actually started his career in Non-League Shrewsbury Town. Hart went on to make 55 appearances for Shrewsbury before his move to City in 2006, before a period in which he boasted the number one jersey for both club and country. The 35-year-old made a staggering 75 appearances for his national team, representing England in eight European Championship games as well as two World Cup matchups.

Hart was called up for South Africa 2010 but had to settle for a spot on the bench as manager Fabio Capello switched between Rob Green and David James in goal. While the Three Lions crashed out at the quarter-finals of that tournament – thanks to a 4-1 capitulation against Germany which included Frank Lampard’s infamous ghost goal. Hart would go on to start in England’s first two group games in Brazil four years later, both of which ended in a 2-1 defeat. 

🍀 𝗛𝗲'𝘀 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 1️⃣

We can confirm today that Joe Hart will be wearing the No. 1 jersey for the coming season.

Joe, who last season wore the No.15 and had a fantastic season for #CelticFC will wear the new number, with Vasilis Barkas moving on loan to Utrecht. pic.twitter.com/pRo1bCida1

— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) June 17, 2022

Jamie Vardy

Arguably the biggest success story on this list at international level, Jamie Vardy’s transformation from the Non-League to the big time is well documented. With spells at Stocksbridge Park Steels, Halifax Town and Fleetwood Town between 2003 and 2011, Vardy signed for Leicester in July 2012 and hasn’t looked back since. The 35-year-old has gone on to break the Premier League’s successive goalscoring record and formed a crucial part of the Foxes’ 2015-16 title-winning season. His success story is the same for England, with Vardy featuring four times in Russia as Southgate nearly led his side to their first World Cup final since 1966. 

He came on as a substitute in England’s 6-1 demolition of Panama, before playing the full 90 in their 1-0 loss to Belgium on matchday three. He was on the pitch for the Three Lions’ penalty shootout win against Colombia, having come on as a substitute before extra time. Vardy also played eight minutes of extra time action in the semi-final against Croatia as England went agonisingly close before falling at the penultimate hurdle, with Southgate’s side forced to wait even longer for World Cup glory.

10 years ago, Jamie Vardy was 24 and playing in the 5th division of English football. Since then:

Reached World Cup semifinal 🌎
Won the Premier League 🏆
Broke PL scoring record 📖
Won PL Golden Boot ⚽️
Played in the UCL ⭐️
Won the FA Cup 🏆

It's never too late. pic.twitter.com/nLXN21mL7b

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 16, 2021

Given that England’s Non-League continues to produce a multitude of fine talent, it is only a matter of time before we see another lower league star shining on international football’s biggest stage. With Southgate’s background in the Three Lions academy setup and his insistence on bringing in fresh faces, the future looks bright for England’s World Cup bid in 2026.