Kobbie Mainoo: England can ‘100 per cent’ win World Cup

By Jonathan Veal, Press Association, in West Palm Beach

Kobbie Mainoo believes England can “100 per cent” win the World Cup this summer as he prepares to live out a boyhood dream.

Manchester United midfielder Mainoo was part of a group that trained for the first time at England’s pre-tournament camp in Florida on Tuesday as Thomas Tuchel’s men step up preparations.

The 21-year-old will be part of the squad that is aiming to end 60 years of hurt by winning the 48-team tournament in North America.

Mainoo, who started England’s Euro 2024 final defeat, has full confidence his side can lift the trophy on July 19th.

“One hundred per cent,” he said. “I feel like everyone in the squad, staff, everyone believes we can win it. But that doesn’t come easy.

“It’s very special, something I’ve dreamed of, and I’m sure all the players have dreamed of since they were really young.

“So to be here and say that I’m playing in a World Cup is unbelievable. I’ve always wanted to play in a World Cup for all my life.

“It’s the biggest tournament in the world, so it’s definitely different from the Euros, but we will try and approach it in the same way with the goal that we want to win.”

Mainoo booked himself a spot in Tuchel’s squad after enjoying a new lease of life at Manchester United under Michael Carrick in the second half of the season.

He had not started a league match under former boss Ruben Amorim and looked set to leave Old Trafford, but Carrick’s appointment saw him play an instrumental part as United finished third in the Premier League.

“I mean, obviously there were difficult times,” he said. “But I tried to keep my focus on what was in front of me, take things day by day and just keep working my craft, keep working hard for the team, and I hoped the rest would come. Thankfully it has.”

Veteran midfielder Jordan Henderson is playing at his fourth World Cup, which looked unlikely when he quit the Premier League for Saudi Arabia in 2023 and was omitted from the Euro 2024 squad.

“I think everybody knows what England means to me, with my whole career representing my country,” the now Brentford player said.

“So I’m very honoured, very lucky to have this opportunity. But for me, it’s the same as always, to be the best version of myself, to be ready to help the team on and off the pitch and give absolutely everything to help this team be successful.

“The last few years has been a bit of a roller coaster, to say the least, but I’ve worked very hard to be in this position and made a lot of sacrifices, and I’m just very grateful and honoured to be here.

“It’s about giving absolutely everything to make the nation back home very proud of us and to do that, we need to just be ourselves.”

Arsenal quartet Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke and Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson did not train on Tuesday due to their involvement in European finals over the past week.

The group was complemented by Alex Scott, Ethan Nwaneri, Josh King and Rio Ngumoha, who have travelled with the squad for the warm-up camp.

Tuchel’s men arrived on Monday evening ahead of Saturday’s friendly with New Zealand in Tampa Bay.

They then face Costa Rica next Wednesday before moving to their tournament base in Kansas City ahead of their Group L opener against Croatia on June 17th.