Sir Geoff Hurst, the legendary World Cup final hat-trick hero, believes that England’s golden moment could be just around the corner—with the right manager at the helm. At 82, the last surviving member of England’s 1966 World Cup-winning team is confident that the national squad has what it takes to bring football home again in 2026, especially if managed by someone like Pep Guardiola or Jurgen Klopp.
Hurst sees immense potential in England’s young talent, particularly their attacking options. Speaking at the Cheltenham Literature Festival while promoting his new book, Last Boy of ’66, he shared his optimism: “If these players continue to mature, it wouldn’t surprise me if we were successful in the next World Cup. We’ve got the best bunch of fantastic young players.”
Though he didn’t single out many players, Hurst did praise rising star Jude Bellingham, 21, for his remarkable performances at Real Madrid. “I think he’s absolutely a fantastic player,” Hurst said. “What he’s doing in a foreign country at such a young age is just astonishing.”
Looking ahead to who should lead England in 2026, Hurst suggested that either Jurgen Klopp, formerly of Liverpool, or Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola would be perfect candidates to replace Gareth Southgate, who stepped down as manager in July. “You’ve got to pick managers that are as successful at club level as they’ve been,” Hurst noted, drawing parallels to England’s 1966 manager, Sir Alf Ramsey, who had previously won the league with Ipswich Town.
Despite his optimism for the future, Hurst admits he’s not entirely a fan of the modern game. “It’s a lot more cautious,” he observed. “Some matches, both at the international and club level, can be a bit boring.” As for what today’s England team could learn from the 1966 squad, Hurst had a simple, tongue-in-cheek message: “Cross the f***ing ball more.”
With Hurst’s faith in England’s rising stars and his belief that a top-tier manager could make all the difference, it seems the dream of lifting the World Cup again might not be as distant as it once seemed.
