England win the Transplant Football World Cup in Germany

The England national football team, representing Transplant Sport, have returned not only as champions of football but also as ambassadors for organ donation.

Players from across the UK were selected following their participation in the British Transplant Games football competition, with players coming from cities including Hull, Wigan and Huddersfield, as well as all corners of London, Somerset, Oxfordshire and the Midlands. The squad travelled to Germany to compete in the World Transplant Games Federation’s biennial World Cup with one goal: to avenge their semi-final defeat two years ago and return home as champions.

England’s tournament campaign featured a challenging group stage. The team secured wins against Romania, Colombia and the Netherlands, alongside a narrow defeat to Chile, the previous tournament winners. Moving into the knockout stages, England powered past Italy in the quarter-finals to set up a tense semi-final encounter against Wales, where the squad had to dig deep to secure their place in the final. In the showpiece match against Spain, early goals set the stage for a convincing victory, securing the World Cup title and sparking emotional celebrations.

For manager Daley Cross, being able to lead a team representing England on the global stage was the ultimate privilege. Reflecting on the tournament, Daley praised the squad’s collective discipline and execution throughout the competition.

“The players showed remarkable focus from the opening game through to the final whistle. Navigating tough matches against strong opponents and executing our game plan early against Spain took immense character. Beyond football, this squad continues to demonstrate the health and vitality possible following organ transplantation. This success is shared with the donors and their families. Without them, none of the team would be on the pitch playing the game they all love.

“I hope this achievement encourages people to talk about organ donation and sign up to the register. I must also pay huge congratulations to our fellow home nation Wales for their incredible achievement in finishing fourth, making huge progress since the last tournament.”

To keep up to date with the team, follow them on Instagram @englandtransplantsport_f.

For enquiries about getting involved with transplant football, please email the office at office@transplantsport.org.uk