Hodge's excellent form at Wednesday made him a favourite to make the England squad for the 1986 World Cup in Mexico and was even measured up for and received a squad blazer. However Hodge cruelly missed out at the last minute when Gary Bailey supposedly recovered from injury only to break down again in Mexico. Hodge has said that this was the biggest disappointment of his career.
Hodge's exceptional performance on Wednesday made him a strong contender for selection in England's squad for the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, and he was even fitted for and received a team blazer. However, Hodge was unexpectedly omitted from the final roster when Gary Bailey supposedly recovered from injury only to suffer another setback in Mexico. Hodge has stated that this was his most significant disappointment in his career.