8 EFL Championship stars who could be in the England squad by 2030 | OneFootball

FLW looks at eight current Championship players who could be playing international football in five years' time.

Many current England internationals featured in the Championship on their journeys towards representing The Three Lions.

A number of Thomas Tuchel's key players turned out in the second tier of English football during the earlier stages of their careers, with the division being ideal for young homegrown talent to make a name for themselves in the professional game.

Harry Kane had a few loan spells in the Championship with the likes of Leicester City and Millwall, Jude Bellingham started his career in the second tier with Birmingham City, and Harry Maguire won promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs while he was at Hull City, while Jarrod Bowen, Conor Gallagher, Ollie Watkins and Eberechi Eze are just a few other examples.

Therefore, it would be a real surprise if none of the English players currently playing their football in the Championship go on to represent their country at senior level.

With that in mind, let's take a look at just eight of the Championship players who are yet to receive an England cap but could potentially reach the squad in time for the FIFA World Cup in 2030.

8 Hayden Hackney

Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney is a player who could certainly end up playing international football for England at senior level.

The 23-year-old has starred for the England under-21s, while he has also been a key player for Boro in the Championship.

Premier League sides, including Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, have been linked with Hackney, who is valued at around £20 million by Boro, which shows the level of quality he possesses.

7 Ronnie Edwards

Southampton defender Ronnie Edwards is another Championship player who has represented England at youth level and impressed in the second tier.

The 22-year-old spent last season on loan at Queens Park Rangers, and he will no doubt be hoping to make a real impact with the Saints this season as they look to bounce back to the top flight at the first time of asking.

Edwards moved to St Mary's from League One side Peterborough United in a deal worth around £3 million last summer, and the Saints would definitely have got their money's worth if he ended up playing for England in the next five years.

Ipswich Town left-back Leif Davis featured regularly in the Premier League last season as the Tractor Boys suffered relegation back to the Championship.

However, despite Ipswich's struggles, his performances led to him being included in some conversations about England selection, and if he continues to improve, the 25-year-old could make the squad at some stage before 2030.

England have lacked options at left-back at times in recent years, which could see Davis in with a better chance of receiving a call-up if he can get back to the Premier League as soon as possible.

5 Tom Fellows

West Bromwich Albion winger Tom Fellows has impressed in the Championship for the Baggies, while he is another young player in the second tier who has played at under-21 level for his country.

The 22-year-old provided 14 assists from out wide for West Brom last season, with his potential clear to see for those who watched him at The Hawthorns.

Premier League sides Everton and Leeds United have been linked with Fellows this summer, so it could be only a matter of time before he takes the next step on his journey to the top.

4 Charlie Hughes

Defender Charlie Hughes is one of the most promising young defenders in the EFL, with his performances for Wigan Athletic having earned him a move to Hull City and the opportunity to play for England at youth level.

The 21-year-old left the Latics to join the Tigers in a deal worth £3.5 million last summer, before winning the club's Young Player of the Season award at the end of his debut campaign.

3 Jack Rudoni

Coventry City midfielder Jack Rudoni has enjoyed a meteoric rise from League One to the cusp of the Premier League during the last few years.

The 24-year-old went from playing for AFC Wimbledon in 2022 to reaching the Championship play-offs with The Sky Blues last season, with a two-season spell in the second tier with Huddersfield Town in between.

If he can continue on his current upwards trajectory, there is every chance he could be playing for England by 2030.

Sheffield United loanee Louie Barry has represented England throughout the age groups, and played Championship football during a temporary spell at Hull City during the second half of last season.

Now, the 22-year-old will be aiming to recreate the kind of form he produced in League One for Stockport County last year in the Championship for the Blades during the upcoming 2025/26 campaign.

If Barry can thrive in the second tier this season, he could return to Aston Villa and continue on the path towards becoming a full England international.

Charlton Athletic striker Miles Leaburn has all the attributes to be a top striker if he can stay fit for an extended period of time.

The 21-year-old has penned a new contract at The Valley this summer following the Addicks' promotion back to the Championship, and he will be hoping to show what he is capable of for Nathan Jones' side at the level above.

His physical presence, link-up play and finishing ability have attracted interest from the likes of Chelsea and Aston Villa in the past, so if he gets a good run of games without injuries in the Championship, then he could get himself back on the road to the top flight.