'Be bigger than 1966 heroes'

England manager Gareth Southgate says winning the World Cup would make his players even bigger heroes than the 1966 generation because of the impact of social media and the globalisation of football.

Southgate's men meet Croatia in the semifinals on Wednesday after ending a 28-year wait just to reach the last four by cruising past Sweden in the quarterfinals.

"I've met quite a few of those players and we know exactly how they're held and perhaps, in the modern era, that would be even crazier," Southgate told Britain's daily newspapers.

"Social media and everything else, the global thing is so much bigger."

Southgate admitted he had used the high esteem in which the 1966 team -- featuring Bobby Charlton and Bobby Moore -- are still held as an inspiration for his players.

"We've talked, touched briefly, certainly, on the team which won. How they're still held and revered," he added.