What the World Cup means to... Eric Dier

As we count down to the start of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, we caught up with some of the players who are set to take part to talk about their memories of past tournaments. Today, England’s Eric Dier.

What was the first World Cup you can remember watching?
I remember Michael Owen’s amazing solo run and goal against Argentina in 1998, but I was only young then and couldn’t appreciate it as much until I got older, so the Japan and South Korea tournament in 2002 is the earliest World Cup I have clear recollections of watching. I was living in Portugal, following it on TV. I went to an international school and I seem to remember they’d stop classes for the games involving Portugal and England, so that was quite lucky!

Who were the stars that year?
I remember Ronaldinho, mainly because of the infamous free-kick he scored for Brazil to knock England out. That’s really my first vivid World Cup memory. There were loads of great players – the Brazil team was full of them with people like Ronaldo and Cafu and for England you had lots of stars like David Beckham and Michael Owen, who was probably at his peak then.

If there was one World Cup game in history that you could have gone to, which one would it be and why?
Obviously England winning the World Cup Final against Germany in 1966 would be the one. I met Sir Geoff Hurst at the club’s Training Centre a few weeks ago and that was really special.

What are the best memories you have of your own country at the World Cup?
Michael Owen’s goal at France ‘98 against Argentina would be up there. As I said before, I was only young at the time but I’ve seen replays of it plenty of times since then. Obviously it’s a bittersweet one because England lost the match on penalties, but the goal itself stands alone as a memorable moment.

What is the best match you’ve ever seen at the finals?
In terms of drama it would be Portugal v Holland in 2006 when there were all those yellow cards and sendings-off. There were 16 yellows and four reds in that game, which I believe was a record for the World Cup. Portugal won it 1-0. Also the 2006 Final when Italy beat France on penalties after a 1-1 draw. That was an entertaining game.

And the best goal?
James Rodriguez for Colombia when he smacked one in from outside the area on his left foot against Uruguay at the last World Cup in Brazil. I remember he controlled it on his chest and then scored from a long way out. It was a great strike.

What is the most unusual kit you’ve seen at the tournament?
It was before my time really as it was used in the same year I was born, but I’ve seen photos online of Germany’s kit from 1994 – a white shirt with yellow, red and black patterns across the top. That’s the most unusual one I’ve seen.