Jamie Carragher’s son receives first international call-up – but it’s not with England

James Carragher has been handed his first international call-up ahead of the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

The 22-year-old defender is the son of former England and Liverpool star Jamie.

However, the pair will represent different nations after the Wigan man was named in Malta's latest squad.

Manager Emilio De Leo has named his list of players for the World Cup qualifiers against Finland and Poland this month.

Amongst the players selected is Carragher, making it his first international call-up for any nation at any level.

In fact, his dad was also eligible with his mother and grandfather both being Maltese.

Last month, the pair were awarded Maltese citizenship - paving the way for James Carragher to be selected.

However, Carragher Sr instead won 38 caps for the Three Lions during his playing career.

The former defender, who fell ill during CBS Sports' Champions League coverage midweek, was also a part of the squads for Euro 2004 and both the 2006 and 2010 World Cups.

His son's Malta call-up is far from a surprise, though, having previously been hinted at by the nation's FA.

President Bjorn Vasallo revealed last month: "We’ve been in talks with James and his father Jamie for the last few months now.

"He is open to it, but we’re still working on it."

Further suggesting a future call-up, Vasallo added: "We will not shy from signing players internationally; everyone is doing it, so why not us?"

As well as Finland and Poland, Malta will also face Lithuania and either Spain or the Netherlands in their qualifying group this year.

Carragher will now be aiming to make his debut at the National Stadium in Ta'Qali on March 21.

Alongside loan spells at Oldham and Aberdeen, he has spent his entire senior career with Wigan.

Since making his debut in 2021, he has featured 35 times for the Latics, scoring once.

Of those appearances, 22 have been in League One this term, helping his side to 15th in the table.