Callum Wilson has declared he has not given up hope of an England recall in his quest to make the 2026 World Cup squad.
The West Ham striker scored from close range in Saturday’s 3-2 win over Burnley to hand Nuno Espirito Santo’s side back-to-back victories.
Callum Wilson netted his second West Ham goal in the 3-2 win over Burnley
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Callum Wilson netted his second West Ham goal in the 3-2 win over BurnleyCredit: Getty
33-year-old West Ham star Callum Wilson insists he can make the England World Cup squad!
It was Wilson’s second goal of the season after opening his account in the 3-0 win at Nottingham Forest in August.
The 33-year-old was an unused substitute for Nuno’s first three games in charge, but starts against former club Newcastle last week and against Burnley has seen the Hammers pick up six points.
And that could be the kickstart needed to ignite both West Ham and Wilson’s seasons with big prizes still on offer.
Wilson, who was part of Gareth Southgate’s squad for the 2022 Qatar World Cup, admits next summer’s tournament in North America remains a target for him despite not having featured for England since 2023.
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Following the news of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for November’s qualifiers against Serbia and Albania where the Three Lions boss selected just one traditional striker in Harry Kane, Wilson says cementing himself as a West Ham starter is the key to his World Cup hopes.
Not retired yet
“I wouldn’t say I’ve retired myself from international football by any means,” Wilson told talkSPORT after the win over Burnley.
“There’s a World Cup around the corner of course, I've had my eye on that from the pre-season. So I’m working hard towards it.
“But the most important thing for me is getting myself in the team and when you are given the opportunity, trying to take that and focusing week in, week out.
“That's the only thing that gets you into the England squad as I’ve experienced many times before.
“There’s a long way to go before that squad’s announced and why not make a late charge for it.
Wilson has not given up on England and is keen to add to his nine caps and two goals for the Three Lions
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Wilson has not given up on England and is keen to add to his nine caps and two goals for the Three LionsCredit: Getty
Wilson and Kane were England's predominant strikers during their run to the World Cup quarter-finals in Qatar
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Wilson and Kane were England's predominant strikers during their run to the World Cup quarter-finals in QatarCredit: Rex
“But it's very early days yet.”
Wilson went on to praise the character of his teammates following an upturn in results over the past six days.
The Hammer's had been without a victory since that 3-0 win at the City Ground in August and have lifted themselves off the foot of the table to 18th place.
And it was a timely victory going into the international break with Bournemouth, Liverpool and Manchester United up next.
A crucial three points
“You can only focus week to week but with the importance of the team that was above us that we were playing today and to let them get further away which would have been six points, would have been an even bigger task than we’ve already got,” Wilson said.
“We know we're not out of the woods yet and we’ve still got a lot to go but it's something to build from.
The Hammers have picked up form having registered back-to-back wins in the last six days
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The Hammers have picked up form having registered back-to-back wins in the last six daysCredit: Getty
“Going into the break now and looking at the next fixtures ahead, it was a massive three points today.
“There's a lot of leaders in there,” he added. “There’s experience mixed with youth and it’s important we are all contributing as much as we can and none more so than myself.
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"I try to do as much as I can on and off the field. It’s a big win by any means today. It wasn't pretty.
"Sometimes we’ve got to win ugly, win scrappy in the position we’re in and if we’re getting results playing like that then when we do play well it will be even better.”