England World Cup squad's unique superstitions - from tiny socks to shaving bans

Months and months of gruelling training sessions have all led to this: the Qatar World Cup quarter finals. The high-stake match will not be a first for any of the pro players, but this could be the tournament of a lifetime for England men's squad. Hot off the heels of their success in the UEFA Euro 2020 - but still likely feeling the sting from their loss in the final - the team have everything to play for in their match against France.

With so much at stake, it's not surprising so many footballers have superstitions they follow before stepping out on the pitch. From sweet family tributes to bizarre beliefs, read on for some of the superstitions held by this year's squad.

Harry Kane previously ditched his razor during a goal streak ( Image: Javier Garcia/REX/Shutterstock)

Kyle Walker

No conversation about footballers and their superstitions would be complete without mentioning Kyle Walker, who has famously worn the same pair of shin pads for the past 14 years. Having kept the same beloved pair since his early days at Sheffield United, he is loathe to give up the prized possession.

Speaking to The Telegraph last year, he said: "I've never lost them or anything, they have to be there. It's impossible not to have them. I'd rather lose my boots."

Footballers are a superstitious lot - as the England men's squad prove ( Image: FIFA via Getty Images)

Harry Kane

Back in 2014 Harry Kane attributed a goal streak at Spurs to ditching his razor, so don't be surprised if he's not clean-shaven during this tournament. Speaking at the time, he said: "I haven't had a shave since my first goal… it's a superstition I am keeping."

Marcus Rashford

In what might be the sweetest pre-match ritual of all time, Marcus Rashford always pays tribute to his beloved nanna, who passed away when he was 11-years-old.

Marcus Rashford pays tribute to his nan before stepping on the pitch ( Image: Corbis via Getty Images)

As revealed in his book You Are a Champion, Rashford said: "She never got to watch me play, but I know she's a part of me and I always try to say something to her before a game.

"I remember the lessons she taught me, tap my boots four times before I step on the pitch – which is my little routine I do to keep focused – and then I know I'm ready to go out there and give it my best.

"That's my way of trying to share what big moments I can with her, even though she is gone."

Jack Grealish

There's a reason Jack Grealish wears his socks so low ( Image: Getty Images)

One of the most-talked about superstitions comes courtesy of Jack Grealish - and it is easy to see why as soon as he steps on the pitch. Why it might look like the football star wears very small socks, he in fact chooses to wear them low, as Birmingham Live reports.

Jack explained: "Obviously your socks are supposed to go above your calves. But one year when I was here, the socks once shrunk in the wash. So they wouldn't go higher.

"That season, I ended up playing really well. So it became a superstitious thing for me. I thought 'I'm going to keep doing this because I've done well'."

Luke Shaw

Like many fans, the defender is fond of wearing "lucky" clothes on game days. Thankfully, he's got a sweet lucky charm in the form of a pair of socks, adorned with his young son's face.

Raheem Sterling

Raheem Sterling has previously refused to change his outfit during a scoring streak ( Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Raheem Sterling famously styles himself based on his team's success - and if he's on a scoring streak he refuses to change his outfit. Ahead of the 2022 World Cup he said : "If I score, I'll just try to wear the same trainers with my tracksuit to the next game. And if I don't score it's going back in the closet."

Eric Dier

Eric Dier was previously quizzed about strapping on his thigh during the 2018 World Cup, after sightings of the player raised injury fears. Thankfully, the footballer was in good health, as he cleared up to press.

"I am fine, thank you. It is just a superstition more than anything, now," he said at the time. Here's hoping he doesn't need to use strapping in Qatar, unless of course he wants to use some as a good luck charm.

Aaron Ramsdale

Another player who has opened up about his superstitions - and why he always sticks to them - Aaron Ramsdale shared the sweet story behind his habit.

Talking toGK1 magazine, he said: "Right sock on first. Right shin pad on first. Right glove on first. Right glove comes off first," before explaining he always removes a glove when shaking hands at the end of the game.

"My dad met Bobby Charlton once and dad asked if he could shake his hand. Bobby agreed and took his glove off to shake. That touch of respect stayed with dad for years — now it stays with me," he added.