England player who didn't receive World Cup medal for 43 years holds record for gap between caps which will never be beaten

1292 players have represented England at senior level and it is the 845th representative who holds the record for the biggest gap between appearances.

Of Irish descent, Liverpool-born Ian Callaghan elected to represent England and was capped four times for his country.

He is Liverpool's record appearance maker, having played 857 times in an incredibly successful 19-year spell where he won five league titles and two European Cups.

Despite his impressive exploits with the Reds, the midfielder was anything but a regular for the Three Lions despite being part of the only England team to win the World Cup.

Callaghan played one game in the group stage, registering an assist in a 2-0 victory over France at Wembley.

He did not play in the final and so was not entitled to a medal.

However, 43 years later, the FA were able to persuade FIFA to change the ruling on medals and all winning squad members received the honour.

Callaghan was given his by then-Prime Minister Gordon Brown at Downing Street in 2009 and was then a guest of honour for England's win over Andorra at Wembley.

Ian Callaghan finally got his World Cup medal after 43 years. Image: Getty

“The Wednesday was very special with the trip to Downing Street and getting the medal off the Prime Minister.

“It was all very exciting and I’m very proud of the medal," Callaghan reflected, as per the Liverpool Echo.

“I actually played in one of the games but all 22 players were all part of it and deserved recognition.

“You can’t get any higher honour in the game and it’s great to finally get it 43 years on.

“There are only 22 players in the history of the sport who can say they won the World Cup for England. I’m proud to be able to say I’m one of them.”

England player holds record which may never be beaten

After the appearance against France, Callaghan found himself out of the squad for a period of 11 years and 49 days until he was brought back into the fold and played against Switzerland in 1977 when he was aged 35.

It remains the longest period between caps, though Spurs striker Dominic Solanke was recently recalled after seven years away from the national team.

A substitute against Brazil in 2017, he made his second appearance in a 2-1 defeat to Greece in October 2024.