Sir Geoff Hurst, the last surviving member of England’s 1966 World Cup-winning team, has reflected on the legacy of his late teammate and captain Bobby Moore as the nation looks ahead to its next World Cup campaign. At 84, Sir Geoff emphasized Moore’s profound influence, both on and off the field, and cautioned against underappreciating current players who might follow in Moore’s footsteps.

Moore, who captained England to its only World Cup title in 1966, remains a revered figure in English football history. Known for his impeccable conduct—famously wiping his hands on the stadium parapet rather than Queen Elizabeth II’s gloves during the trophy presentation—Moore was described by peers as "immaculate" in character. Despite his contributions, Moore did not enjoy the same post-retirement recognition as some of his contemporaries. He never took on significant coaching roles with the Football Association or his club West Ham, nor was he knighted, a disparity that prompted calls for a posthumous honor following his death from cancer in 1993 at age 51.

Sir Geoff criticized the way Moore was treated late in his career, noting a lack of respect and opportunities afforded to him. He contrasted this with the modern era, suggesting that today’s players receive considerably greater admiration. “Everything in football is different now apart from the goalposts,” Sir Geoff said, adding that any future World Cup winners would be celebrated with a level of reverence not extended to Moore in his later years.

Looking ahead to the upcoming tournament, Sir Geoff sees parallels between Moore and England captain Harry Kane. Kane, who recently became England’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals and notched 61 goals last season for Bayern Munich, represents a potential World Cup hero. Sir Geoff praised Kane’s demeanor and leadership, highlighting his quiet professionalism and strong character reminiscent of Moore. However, he warned against placing the burden solely on Kane’s shoulders, emphasizing football as a team sport where collective effort determines success.

Sir Geoff also noted the challenges England could face during the tournament, particularly in matches held at high altitudes such as Mexico City, where the thinner air and heat can affect player stamina and ball control. Drawing on his own experience at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, he said England would need to rely on squad depth, including the utilization of backup forwards like Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney.

Despite acknowledging these challenges, Sir Geoff expressed cautious optimism about England’s chances. He said winning the World Cup again “would not surprise me,” and speculated that Kane could rise to the occasion with multiple goals in the final. For Sir Geoff, such an achievement would be deeply meaningful, a fitting tribute to Bobby Moore’s enduring legacy and a new chapter in English football history.