Callum Wilson was 'over the moon' to receive a World Cup call-up and has revealed his determination to make history with England. The Three Lions squad left St Georges' Park on Tuesday morning ahead of the mid-season competition, with their opening Group B fixture against Iran to come on Monday.
Wilson was one of several headline inclusions in Gareth Southgate's 26-man squad, having not represented his country for three years. The Newcastle United striker has netted six times so far this season, and saw off competition from Tammy Abraham and Ivan Toney to claim a place alongside captain Harry Kane.
England reached the semi-final stage of the 2018 edition of the competition while suffering a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat to Italy in the final of Euro 2020. More recently, the Three Lions have been in poor form in their latest Nations League campaign, but Wilson has challenged his international team-mates to make history in Qatar.
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When asked about his call-up, he told England's live social media broadcast: "Life is all about timing, I've had three years away. The pinnacle of my career was probably scoring on my debut for England and it was a moment I'll never forget.
"But it's also a moment I want to add to, and now going to the World Cup, there's great opportunities in front of us as players to go and make history. I think for us, that's the drive and the motivation."
Wilson is one of three Newcastle players to earn a place in the England setup, with regulars Nick Pope and Kieran Trippier also keeping their spots. The Magpies' number nine was training at the club's Benton base last Thursday when the squad was announced.
When asked about his call-up and how he found out, Wilson added: "Over the moon, you work hard as a football player to try and get opportunities like this and it's one you'll grasp with both hands. I was on the training field and I came in, I got my phone and I was in the dressing room with all of the lads.
"Tripps was in there, he'd had a message and he was smiling away, anticipating I might have had one! Thankfully I did."
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