Uncapped star denies he will switch allegiance from England after World Cup snub

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has confirmed he will not switch his international allegiance to Ireland after missing out on England’s World Cup squad.

The Everton star was among the players overlooked for a place in Thomas Tuchel’s 26-man travelling party to this summer’s showpiece in North America.

Dewsbury-Hall has never been capped by England, his country of birth, while he is eligible for Ireland due to his family heritage.

In October, the 27-year-old pledged his international allegiance to the Three Lions despite years of efforts from Ireland to call him up.

Now, Dewsbury-Hall has been forced to reaffirm his stance on representing the Boys in Green.

A rogue report in Ireland claimed he had informed manager Heimir Hallgrimsson of his desire to declare his allegiance to the country.

Addressing the rumour on social media, the former Chelsea and Leicester midfielder said: “?? Just not true. Massive respect to Ireland as I’ve previously stated, but I’m English & England is always the dream.”

He has never featured for either England or Ireland at youth or senior level.

No U-turn

Any international turnaround would have been a surprise to Irish football fans after his previous comments about wanting to represent England.

He told the Times in October 2025: “My biggest dream as a footballer is to play international football.

“I respect Ireland and I respect the Irish people but I’m English. To play for England for me would be the biggest achievement of my career.

“I think it would be wrong of me to keep letting things drag on when I’ve got a clear goal in my head to play for England one day.

Getty

Getty

“Ireland have been trying to get me to play for them for about five years. I’ve made my feelings known in terms of, ‘Look, I don’t want to make any decisions, I want to keep playing my football, concentrating on football and whatever happens, happens.’

“Just because I’ve seen so much speculation around it right now, I think it’s only fair of me to say my biggest dream would be to play for England.

“It would be the proudest moment of my life if I played for England.”

Last chance saloon

Dewsbury-Hall has held out hope of representing England after a resurgent season at Everton.

He joined the Toffees from Chelsea in a £30million deal last summer, and has since established himself as a key player on Merseyside.

The creative player registered eight goals and six assists in 31 Premier League games this term.

But with plenty of competition for places in his preferred attacking midfield role in the England set-up, his strong form hasn’t materialised into a call-up.

Three Lions boss Tuchel ruffled some feathers with his picks in the position, as he left Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Morgan Gibbs-White out of his World Cup squad, as well as Dewsbury-Hall.