Dan Burn has set his sights on a long-term England future after receiving his first call-up at 32, just days after scoring in Newcastle United’s Carabao Cup final victory over Liverpool.
The Newcastle defender, included in Thomas Tuchel’s squad for the ongoing international break, has his eyes on making an impact ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“He said I’ve been playing well for a long time,” Burn said of his first conversation with Tuchel. “I’m not just coming in to be a cheerleader. I want to play.”
Burn, who had never been called up under Gareth Southgate, admitted he thought his international chance had passed. But Tuchel’s arrival changed the equation.
“I think I have been overlooked, but I understood it—what Gareth did to bring England where it was to where it is now,” Burn said. “It was about the togetherness, but that worked against me a little bit. So, when the new manager came in, it was kind of a new slate.
"Luckily, the new manager has taken a chance on me and I want to grasp the opportunity.”
His call-up capped off a remarkable week. He received the news via FaceTime late on Thursday night, after an initial message at 10 p.m. from Tuchel
“He said first of all, not professional being in bed for 10 p.m. So, I apologized for that,” Burn said.
Now focused on earning his place for future camps, Burn is approaching his England opportunity with clear ambition.
“Every little kid’s dream is to play in a World Cup,” Burn said. “To know I have got that opportunity, if I take it, is special.”
Burn's first shot at making his England senior debut will come on Friday when the Three Lions are scheduled to face Albania.