Wales' Chris Mepham says he is still "pinching himself" after going from playing Sunday League to being picked for the World Cup.
The Bournemouth defender, 25, is in contention to start in Monday's opening game in Qatar against the United States.
His career began with a string of rejections and being overlooked by various clubs,
"Eight, nine years ago I was playing Sunday league." Mepham said.
"Fast-forward to now and suddenly you're part of a World Cup squad."
As a teenager the centre-back was released by Chelsea, and previously acknowledged that he found himself "in a dark place.