Mason Mount sets eyes on his three-year-old niece for the FIRST time in World Cup family reunion

The World Cup has helped ease family heartache for England star Mason Mount, Mailonline can reveal.

The Chelsea midfielder's sister Stacey lives in Australia and gave birth to his niece Poppy more three years ago.

But the pandemic - Australia had some of the strictest travel restrictions in the world - along with the demands of his football schedule, stopped him from seeing her.

But Stacey has brought Poppy to Qatar to meet her uncle at the World Cup.

The 23-year-old footballer, who has reportedly been offered £200,000-a-week in a new contract by Chelsea, was all smiles as he hugged Poppy by the touchline after playing a World Cup match.

They were united when Gareth Southgate allowed players to meet Wags and families in the terraces after England thrashed Iran 6-2.

Mount picked up his niece, who was wearing an England shirt with his name, and cuddled her tightly and high-fived other children in his family.

Stacey wrote on Instagram: 'After 3 1/2 years, I got to see my little bro and Poppy meet her uncle Mason for the first time and what a day!

'I cannot even express what a proud big sister I am. All these years of hard work and dedication.'

She joked about Mason's love of playing football as a child adding: 'Dad doesn't mind you kicking the football at the garage now. You truly deserve this Mason Mount.

'How lucky I am to get to watch you play for the first time in years at the World Cup'

Mount is known for his charity work raising funds for sick children and has his own charitable foundation.