The 2026 edition of the World Cup is now in full swing.
Thomas Tuchel's England are yet to get their campaign up and running, but there have been some exciting games already, including Australia's surprise 2-0 win over Turkey, which involved one of Leicester City's very own.
Harry Souttar was in the heart of the Socceroos' defence all night long as Tony Popovic's side clinched a big victory to start their journey in Group D off to a winning start, as they are within touching distance of the USA at the summit.
Despite only being fit enough to play two times all of last season in the Championship, as the Foxes tasted the bitter pill of back-to-back relegations, Souttar was still selected for Australia's 26-man squad for the World Cup.
Over the years, even when he hasn't been performing domestically, the 27-year-old has used international football as his refuge, with the 39-time international actually helping himself to 11 goals when putting his towering 6-foot-6 frame to good use.
He wasn't in amongst the goals against Turkey, as fellow EFL star Nestory Irankunda - who lines up for Watford - stole the show with the opening strike, before Connor Metcalfe made sure of a comfortable win, but he was still showered with praise come the full-time whistle for his rock-solid defensive display.
Indeed, the Australia captain would amass a staggering 13 clearances as he kept constantly snuffing out the danger, with the likes of Kerem Aktrkolu for Turkey a tricky customer to try and contain.
Winning a powerful six duels, too, it was certainly a committed defensive display from Souttar, which helped his team to a confidence-boosting opening win in Vancouver.
Across Leicester's last two games of the second-tier season, the valiant centre-back did chip in with a standout 16 duels won, with the 27-year-old a real force to be reckoned with, when not plagued with injury difficulties.
If he can continue shining for his adopted nation, there will undoubtedly be interest in his services this summer, with the performance against The Crescent-Stars already putting himself firmly in the shop window.
Souttar, despite all his well-known injury problems, will believe that he can still perform and battle well in the second tier next season, if a club decides to take a gamble on him.
There had been some tentative discussion s that Sheffield United were interested in snapping him up, having previously had him on their books on loan, and after this near faultless display on the world's biggest stage, Chris Wilder and Co. must be tempted even more to make a move.
The Blades might find their not alone in their interest anymore, however, with the Leicester number 15 a real catch for any Championship side, as he boasts 87 appearances at the intense level, away from his formidable offerings for his international team.
It could well be the case that Souttar shrugs off all this interest and sticks by Leicester heading into League One, as he will want consistent minutes, after an injury-ravaged couple of campaigns domestically.
It will be interesting to see what the 27-year-old does next, with it clear that he's not letting any of his treatment room demons get the better of him in Canada for the ecstatic Socceroos.
This article was originally published on www.foxesofleicester.com as Leicester misfit could be man in demand this summer after World Cup display .
