Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterWhen Ashley Cole travelled to the 2002 World Cup as a 21-year-old, the then-Arsenal full-back was one of the youngest members of Sven-Goran Erikssons England squad.This tournament came at the beginning of a fruitful international career for Cole, who would go on to be one of the finest left-backs to ever pull on a Three Lions shirt, and it would prove to be an eventful introduction to tournament football.More than two decades on, its still a period that Cole looks back on as one of the defining experiences of his career, even if it ended in disappointment.Ashley Cole on the 2002 World CupWhen asked to choose his favourite major tournament with England, Cole is quick to bring up this first taste of international action.I think my first, 2002, just to understand I was capable of playing with top players and doing OK at major tournaments, Cole tells FourFourTwo. You may like Cristiano Ronaldo made me do the splits. I thought, This cant happen again. I didnt want someone to take my career away from me Ashley Cole on his major tournament battles with the Portuguese icon Theres going to be a moment where England are under the cosh to win the World Cup, someone is going to have to take the game by the scruff of the neck Joe Cole on what England need to do to win the World Cup Exclusive: England's Eberechi Eze tells FourFourTwo his two World Cup heroes We went to Japan and it was the first time I was around big names, representing my country at a major tournament. I thought I did well, but knew there were still levels to reach.Cole would prove that he was well capable of reaching these higher levels, going on to win 107 England caps, but one frustration still rankles.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.The regret is I never played in a final for my country, he admits. We played in a lot of other finals [at club level], but not at a World Cup or Euros, that part is disappointing.Englands 2002 campaign ended against Brazil in the quarter-finals, when Ronaldinhos speculative free-kick caught David Seaman flat-footed and snuck in under the crossbar. Its a goal that has been endlessly debated, but does Cole believe that the Brazilian meant it?If he did, that just sums him up, Cole says. He was a genius and to put it where he put it at that moment in the game I dont know, only he knows the truth. What to read next I am one of many players who will regret not winning something Gareth Barry looks back on an England career of frustration 'Roy Keane leaving Saipan in 2002 galvanised us but Mick McCarthy wasn't right to question him in front of the squad' Ex-Republic of Ireland international Clinton Morrison gives first-hand account of famous 2002 World Cup fallout Javier Zanetti clarifies intent behind Argentina's bus window celebrations at France 98 England were able to defeat South American opposition in the group stage, when David Beckhams penalty saw off Argentina, four years after the France 98 clash, which saw the Argentinians celebrate by banging on bus windows.There was something about swapping shirts, Coles says when asked if England were tempted to celebrate in the same manner.I think we wanted to swap shirts and someone said: No, they wont swap because something happened in 1998. I wanted to swap I might have even done it, I think I got Ariel Ortegas shirt. It was amazing to win that game. The stadium we played in was indoors.Could It Be Coming Home? with Joe Cole and Ashley Cole is brought to you by Carling, official sponsor of the Emirates FA Cup and Adobe Womens FA Cup. Watch the show on YouTube and Spotify, or listen to it wherever you get your podcastsTOPICSEnglandWorld CupJoe MewisSocial Links NavigationFor more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.With contributions fromChris FlanaganSenior Staff Writer
