England midfielder Elliot Anderson says his late mother would have been proud of the performance and victory the Three Lions earned in Mexico City to send them through to the quarter-finals of the World Cup 2026.
Anderson’s mother, Helen, died in April this year following a battle with cancer and tributes were made to her by the 23-year-old during a Nottingham Forest game shortly after her passing and after he was called up to England’s World Cup squad.
Anderson has kept his mother closely in his thoughts since her death having posted this on Instagram after his call up was announced: “Wow! Something I have dreamt of my whole life…. Mum, we are going to the World Cup.”
Following England’s stunning 3-2 win over Mexico in the Azteca Stadium, Anderson was asked if this win was an emotional one given all he has had to deal with this year.
“It is, it is,” he told reporters. “There’s a lot of stuff going on and I think my escape is just getting on the pitch. It frees my mind and hopefully we can keep continuing this.
When asked if his mum would have been proud of what he and the England team have achieved, not only in Mexico but also throughout this World Cup, he answered: “Definitely.
“She would have been here celebrating with my family and singing along with the songs at the end. So, yeah, proud.”
Earlier this year, Anderson posted a tribute to his mother with a gallery of photos on Instagram and a heartfelt caption that read: “Mum, you are the most special person I could have ever met. Laughing, smiling and dancing through every day giving us all such joy and happiness. You fought so hard for the past year with huge strength and resilience. The determination you have shown made me so unbelievably proud.
“I am forever grateful for everything you done for our family. You gave your sons the most amazing life and we were ready to pay it all back. All we wanted to do was make you proud. I know you are looking down on us and watching everything we do. We are all together. You are my biggest motivation. Rest in peace mum. Love you so much.”
The midfielder and his teammates are now travelling back to England’s camp in Kansas as they begin preparations for the quarter-final fixture against Norway which will take place on Saturday 11 July.
