Heart transplant recipient Martyn Jackson scores as England win Transplant World Cup

Martyn Jackson scored as England beat Spain 5-1 in the Transplant Football World Cup final in Frankfurt, less than two years after undergoing a heart transplant. BBC Sport reported that England won Friday’s final after beating six teams during their campaign and scoring 36 goals across the tournament.

Watch the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLTshrPaesE

Jackson’s return to competitive football followed a sudden illness in October 2024. He had played in Ramsbottom United’s 2-1 victory over Cheadle Town before becoming unwell two days later. He was diagnosed with myocarditis, and his condition deteriorated to the point that doctors used a mechanical pump to support his heart. He subsequently received a transplant at Wythenshawe Hospital in Greater Manchester on 28 November 2024.

The route back into the game began when his wife, Lucy, discovered England Transplant FC through social media during his recovery. Jackson joined the national squad in January 2026. Manager Daley Cross told BBC Sport that Jackson’s understanding of football was apparent when he first took to the pitch, even though he was still early in his post-transplant journey.

Jackson brought substantial experience to the squad. He had been a schoolboy player in Manchester United’s academy and also spent time at Blackburn Rovers, Preston North End and Burnley. After moving away from the pursuit of a professional career, he played for clubs in non-league football for 13 years. Before his illness, he had been competing in the ninth tier of the English game.

The transplant tournament uses a different format from the conventional international game: teams play seven-a-side, with two 20-minute halves. All of Jackson’s team-mates and opponents had received donor organs. BBC Sport reported that his own playing time generally comes in spells of about 10 minutes, reflecting the need to manage his workload following a heart transplant.

Jackson told the broadcaster he had initially believed the operation would mean the end of his playing days and expressed gratitude to his donor and their family. The victory came shortly before Organ Donation Week. Cross said the team’s achievements showed transplant recipients that returning to an active life could be possible, while stressing that neither his 16-player squad nor England’s tournament success would have existed without organ donation.