Every World Cup, a few new England players enter the wider public consciousness. Premier League fans would have been aware of Elliot Anderson and Djed Spence for a little while now, but those who don't follow the sport as closely will probably not know a lot about them.
The pair were trusted by Thomas Tuchel as part of his plans for this summer tournament, and each has been heavily involved, with Anderson starting every match until now, with Spence has also featured in every game, although starting just twice.
Even some of the most knowledgeable football fans, however, may not know that they both have famous siblings.
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Elliot Anderson’s Boxer and Love Islander Brother
Elliot Anderson in England trainingJim Rassol/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters
Whitley Bay-born Anderson came through at Newcastle United but joined Nottingham Forest in 2024. The Magpies will be regretting that as he's since proved to be a top talent, securing a £116m move to Manchester City.
His maternal grandfather, Geoff Allen, actually played for Newcastle United from 1964 to 1968, but it's his brother who will be known to fans of British reality TV. Indeed, his brother, Wil Anderson, became a public figure after appearing on the 11th season of Love Island.
Older brother Wil was actually seen in the US this summer with his fiancée Uma Jammeh, having met her on Love Island in 2024. He is also a boxer and notably took on Britain’s Got Talent legend Jordan Banjo in a Misfits boxing bout, losing via a fourth-round technical knockout in May 2025.
Spence's Sister is a British Actress and Voiceover Artist
Djed Spence Face Mask England World Cup 2026IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Brett Davis
Spence currently plays for Tottenham, joining the club in 2022 from Middlesbrough after an impressive loan spell at Nottingham Forest. While it took him a while to earn his place at Spurs (going out on loan three times), the 25-year-old impressed enough in 2025/26 to win a spot in Tuchel's England squad.
His older sister is Karla-Simone Spence, and she is known to the public for being a British actress and voiceover artist. The 29-year-old is most widely recognised for her roles in Blue Story and the ITVX period drama The Confessions of Frannie Langton.
As well as that, Spence's sister has also featured in the BBC series Gold Digger and Wannabe, and she played Haydee in The Count of Monte Cristo alongside well-known actor Sam Claflin.
While Spence will feel as though he did more than enough to make the England World Cup squad, not everybody is convinced. Former England defender John Terry has expressed his concerns over the player, telling Piers Morgan earlier in July:
"Listen, I’m not his fan. I don’t think he’s a good defender, I don’t think he’s a good footballer. He’s played in a really struggling Spurs side this year."