| ERICDIER | Spurs midfielder/defender and England World Cup squad member (4,4) |
| LABONE | Brian ...... , Everton defender and England World Cup 1970 squad member, who died in 2006 (6) |
| BACKHOME | 1970 UK no 1 single by the England World Cup Squad '70 (4,4) |
| PAINE | Terry ..... , Southampton forward who was a 1966 England World Cup squad member (5) |
| STILETTO | Former England World Cup midfielder, almost lacking restraint, lifted heel (8) |
| BENCOHEN | England World Cup winner who dyed his hair blond during lockdown (3,5) |
| YUTAMURA | Yokohama Canon Eagles fly-half; Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup squad member (2,6) |
| ANDERTON | Darren ........ , former England and Spurs midfielder (8) |
| BENTALEB | Nabil ........ , Algeria, Lille and 2013-17 Spurs midfielder (8) |
| RYANNEED | _ paired Wayne Mansford in Team England, World Carp Champs, Hungary 2022 (4, 4) |
| PETRESCU | Dan -, 1989-2000 Romania defender and midfielder; Steaua Bucuresti 1989 European Cup Final runner-up (8) |
| PERRYMAN | 1969-86 Spurs midfielder, Steve (8) |
| DROPBACK | Dribble by defender and lose position (4,4) |
| TONYGALE | Former West Ham defender and TV football pundit, born in 1959 (4,4) |
| NEDZELIC | '90s Socceroo defender and SBS host Lucy's brother (3,5) |
| KICKBACK | Foul defender and there's response |
| BACKFIRE | Shoot past defender - and fail (8) |
| SAKA | Bukayo ---, Arsenal winger/defender; England 2022 FIFA World Cup squad member (4) |
| BROADBENT | Peter ......... , 1951-65 Wolves midfielder; England 1958 FIFA World Cup squad member (9) |
| TONY | 1988-2006 US goalkeeper; 1990, 1994 and 2002 FIFA World Cup squad member whose first two professional spells were at Brighton & Hove Albion and Watford (4) |
