Last month, manager Gareth Southgate handpicked 26 of the best English football players to be apart of his FIFA 2022 World Cup squad.
Fast forward and England are in Qatar preparing to play France in the quarter finals on Saturday (10 December).
The Three Lions finished top of Group B after beating both Iran and Wales, and drawing with USA. They then beat Senegal 3-0 in the knockout rounds which took place on Sunday (4 December).
Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson and Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling are competiting in the World Cup for a third time, whilst the likes of Jude Bellingham, Kalvin Phillips and Phil Foden are new to the stage of the biggest football tournament.
However, no matter if it’s their third or first World Cup, each football star started at the very bottom and had years of training in the youth academy’s across the county before making their senior teams debut.
Let’s take a look at where the 26 England World Cup players started off:
19. Conor Gallagher began his senior career at Chelsea in 2019. He began representing England U17’s prior to this in 2017.
Josh Dasilva (L) and Conor Gallagher (R) during the U18 Premier League match between Chelsea and Arsenal on May 9, 2017 in Cobham, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
20. Nick Pope started his senior career with Bury Town in 2008. He didn’t begin representing England until 2018.
Nick Pope in action during the Sky Bet League Two match between Southend United and York City on November 23, 2013 in Southend, England. (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images) | Getty Images
21. Ben White began his senior career at Brighton & Hove Albion in 2016. He didn’t begin representing England until just last year.
Ben White (L) and Mateusz Klich (R) battle for the ball during The Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Newport County and Leeds United on January 7, 2018 in Newport, Wales. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) | Getty Images
22. Kyle Walker began his senior career at Sheffield United in 2008. He began representing England U19’s a year later.
Kyle Walker during the Coca Cola League One Match between Northampton Town and Carlisle United on December 20, 2008 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
23. Kieran Trippier began his senior career at Manchester City in 2009. He began representing England U18’s prior to this in 2007.
Kieran Trippier during a friendly match between Manchester City and Portland Timbers on July 17, 2010 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
24. Jude Bellingham began his senior career with Birmingham City in 2019. He began representing England U15’s prior to this in 2016.
Jude Bellingham celebrates after he scores during the Sky Bet Championship match between Birmingham City and Stoke City on August 31, 2019 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images) | Getty Images