Aston Villa's Tyrone Mings says he thought his England call-up "was a prank" when he first found out, reports BBC Sport.
"I'm delighted. It's been a long journey to get to this point but I'm over the moon," he said.
"There are people in the England squad who have come through non-league as well and it probably makes it a lot sweeter. I've never played for England at any level.
"I got a text when I came in from training from England's player liaison and I text her back. She then called me and said she wasn't joking and that's how I found out. It was only when I spoke to her on the phone, I realised it was serious."