Sir Geoff Hurst, the last Englishman to play in a World Cup-winning team, is backing the class of 2026 to do it again. The 84-year-old legend believes Thomas Tuchel's side will end 60 years of hurt if they can beat Argentina. That would mean England's first appearance in the final since Sir Geoff's finest hour in 1966.
Hurst's confidence in the current squad
Speaking at an event organised by Budweiser in London, Hurst met with fans from the 1966 era who now live at Hendon Hall, a residential home. He told the Mirror: "I do think it is coming home. As a player you have to be positive, you have to have that to achieve what I have in the game. So the answer to 'Can we do it?' is yes. It is categorically yes. I have said this for some time."
Hurst, who scored a hat-trick in England's 4-2 win over West Germany in the 1966 final, added: "It would not be a shock if we were to win it. The only shock is that we have not won in 60 years." He praised the team spirit under Tuchel, saying: "I think they have a good team spirit. Tuchel talks about the team and that without question is the most important aspect of winning anything in any walk of life, but particularly in football. They have that and I think that is the most fundamental aspect of what we had in 1966."
Memories from 1966
At the event, resident Peter Laurence, 83, a retired dentist, recalled watching the 1966 final while travelling to France. He said: "England scored the winner as we got into port in Calais. We jumped up and down like dervishes, got into a local hostelry where we proceeded to get hammered and we met some Germans. We put our arms around each other. It was the German equivalent of entente cordiale."
Hurst recalled the unusual tactics of manager Sir Alf Ramsey, who took the team to the cinema the night before the final to see 'Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines'. He said: "One of the biggest stories was the night before when we all went to the cinema which was in itself unusual, but the fact that the entire squad of players and staff could walk to the cinema and back without anyone - press or fans - coming near us, and even during the time spent in the cinema, with a break." He added: "Can you imagine an England team walking from a hotel to the cinema the night before the World Cup final? Or a match anywhere in the world?"
A message to fans
Reflecting on meeting fans from 1966, Hurst said: "I have such great admiration and feeling for those who remember the game and the day. I meet people on a regular basis and see how significant the day was. I have met two people from Hendon Hall and it brought home how important that day was for so many people."
