That increased waiting time is the result of a reduction in the numbers of organ donors in the UK, with a 9% drop recorded in 2026 compared to the same period last year. There are 8,700 people currently waiting for a donor organ, a figure that NHS Blood and Transplant say is an all-time high.

This Organ Donation Week,, external which runs from 21-28 September, the NHS has launched an urgent response plan to address the decline.

Jackson has yet to meet the family of the donor from which he received his new heart. He says he is considering reaching out to them around the two-year anniversary of his surgery.

For him to make a recovery within that time frame, culminating in playing football in a Transplant World Cup, is “remarkable”, according to Dr Callan.

England beat six teams on their way to winning last Friday’s final in Frankfurt, scoring 36 goals, but for every player at the tournament there is gratitude that they even have the opportunity to play a football match again.

“It is so important to spread that message, have that conversation about organ donation,” says England manager Cross, “because our team only exists for that reason.

“I wouldn’t have 16 players to manage if we didn’t have organ donation. And England wouldn’t have just gone and won a World Cup.”