- Newcastle United star Dan Burn in World Cup action tonight
- Defender sent message by Magpies
- Fans emotional as Burn reflects on Blyth beginnings
Newcastle United have sent well wishes to defender Dan Burn as England prepare to kick off their World Cup campaign against Croatia on Wednesday night.
The 34-year-old is now the only Mapies player to be in Thomas Tuchel’s squad for the tournament, which began six days ago. England are in action for the first time this evening before coming up against Ghana and Panama next week in Group L.
Tino Livramento was forced to withdraw from the England squad this week due to another injury problem. Anthony Gordon will feature but is, of course, now an FC Barcelona star following his £69 million move.
Burn, who only made his Three Lions debut in March 2025, is not expected to be named in the starting XI but could earn his first World Cup minutes from the bench.
The versatile defender, who can play either at full-back or centre-back, was a surprise inclusion in the side at the expense of players including Harry Maguire, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Magpies teammate Lewis Hall in defence.
Newcastle United issue Dan Burn message
A fan favourite at St James’ Park and a local lad hailing from Blyth, Newcastle supporters won’t care who isn’t in the squad at the cost of one of their own.
Ahead of kick-off, Newcastle United shared an interview with Burn about his World Cup ambitions and posted a good luck message for the defender.
The club said: “We’re all behind you, BDB. Dan Burn and England take on Croatia tonight in Group L.”
In the interview clip, Burn opens up about his first steps into the footballing world while growing up in Blyth, eventually playing as a goalkeeper for Blyth Town.
The defender also reflected on his first World Cup memory being watching David Beckham score against Greece while at his Grandma’s on a Saturday. “It’s very surreal that I’m in this position,” Burn admitted.
Magpies supporters flocked to the comments to wish the England star the best of luck, celebrating the ‘Blyth King’ and ‘one of our own’.
‘Emotional’ Magpies supporters send Burn messages
One Instagram user wrote: “Having a Geordie dad and Noth Shields born myself, this is making me emotional. Howay Dan.”
Another added: “How can you not love the lad. Has done it the hard way, no Ferraris at 20 years old, hard graft to get where he is.”
One Blyth local said: “So very proud of Burn. I’m from Blyth too and never in my lifetime did I think a local lad would play for my team.”
Burn has made eight England appearances in total. Tuchel afforded the player 45 minutes against New Zealand in the friendly earlier this month, followed by 19 minutes against Costa Rica. The Newcastle star is yet to score his first goal for the nation.
In other news, Newcastle United must sign ‘incredible’ £20m World Cup star who outshone Alexander Isak.
