- Harry Maguire previews England's FIFA World Cup campaign in Russia
- The Three Lions have been drawn alongside Belgium, Tunisia and Panama in Group G
- Maguire is a part of Gareth Southgate's 23-man squad for the World Cup
- The Leicester City defender discusses his first World Cup memory, dating back to 2002
On the back of his maiden season at the Club, in which he won both the Player and Players’ Player of the Season awards, Maguire will join Gareth Southgate’s men in Russia in June.
The Three Lions have been drawn alongside Belgium, Tunisia and Panama in Group G and Maguire, who could feature in two upcoming friendlies against Costa Rica and Nigeria, is excited to get started.
“Being part of the group, part of the squad and playing in such a prestigious competition, that’s the best bit,” he told LCFC TV.
“It’s the best tournament competition in the world. As you’re growing up as a young boy, everyone dreams of playing for their country and especially a World Cup.
“Obviously, we’ve got Belgium in the group who are a top, top team.
“You see in the Premier League this year, they’ve got [Romelu] Lukaku, [Kevin] de Bruyne, [Eden] Hazard, three top-quality players who have been good for a number of years.
“It should be a good game. Then we’ve got Tunisia, who are doing really well lately and picked up some good results.
“It’s going to be tough but we’ve got more than enough ability to get out of the group.”
That fixture against Tunisia, scheduled for Monday 18 June, could see Maguire line up against Foxes team-mate Yohan Benalouane.
Speaking at Belvoir Drive earlier this month, Maguire also revealed how the pair have already discussed the potential for an intriguing encounter at Volgograd Arena.
“We’re having a bit of banter between ourselves,” he said. “When it comes to the game, I’m sure it’ll be down to business and we’ll be wanting to win as much as he’ll be wanting to win.”
Like many supporters, the weeks leading up to a World Cup prompts memories of yesteryear and Maguire revealed his one match which sticks out in his own mind.
“I’d say 2002, when [David] Beckham scored the penalty against Argentina,” he continued.
“Unfortunately, we got knocked out to Brazil, the Ronaldinho cross-shot what ended up going over Seaman and into the back of the net.”