Burn hopes England journey can ‘inspire’

Dan Burn helped England secure a huge 3-2 victory at the Azteca Stadium against Mexico to reach the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals.

With the Three Lions down to 10 players, the Newcastle United defender delivered a faultless defensive display after his introduction in the 75th minute.

He made eight defensive contributions as Mexico peppered Jordan Pickford’s box with crosses and shots in search of a late equaliser.

But the 6ft 7in substitute helped to keep them at bay, in what was his World Cup debut at the age of 34.

Burn reflects on career milestone

When Burn was asked if playing for England at the World Cup has sunk in yet, he replied: “Probably not. That’s the same with a lot of things in my career. It won’t be until I’m retired and look back and can appreciate what’s happened.

“I’m buzzing that all my family were there to see it. It was amazing to play at my first World Cup at 34 and to get minutes. It’s one of those, no one will be able to take it away from me.

“It’s a nice feeling but there’s still a job to do. It’s a strange one because you want to celebrate the Mexico win because of how historic it was, but in four days’ time you’ve got Norway.

“We’re done with Mexico; now it’s time to focus on Norway.”

Burn opens up on unique pathway

Burn did not reach the top of the game by the conventional route.

After he was released by Newcastle’s academy aged 11, he played for Darlington in the lower leagues before signing for Fulham.

Burn went through multiple loan spells before signing for Wigan Athletic in 2016 and two years later, made the switch to Brighton & Hove Albion.

Another loan move saw him drop to League One in 2018, but a year later he made his first Premier League appearance since he briefly featured in the division with The Cottagers five years earlier.

Burn signed for Newcastle in 2022 and never looked back. Now, he is playing at the World Cup.

“For any kid, when you grow up and watch football, for me my first memories were Newcastle and the 2002 World Cup was the first [World Cup],” he said.

“I can remember and just thinking how good it would be to do that. I’ve managed to accomplish it, so I’m very proud.”

He continued: “It’s crazy. It’s nice because there’s not a straight line to playing football and being successful in football.

“It hopefully gives kids a little bit of inspiration that you don’t have to go through the academy system to be a footballer or achieve what you want in football.

“There are lots of different ways to do it.”