Footie stars to hit the post - England's Harry Kane and co told how to put crosses into the polling box before hopes of Euros glory in Germany

The England team may be more focused on an potential Euro 2024 quarter-final clash than politics by the time the election comes around.

So Gareth Southgate’s men have been instructed by the Football Association to arrange postal or proxy votes ahead of July 4 to ensure they do not miss out on their democratic duty.

FA officials confirmed last night that they were in touch with players and their representatives when Rishi Sunak called the snap vote on May 22, and advised them of the necessary steps needed.

Politics during a major tournament has previously been a point of discussion when it comes to the England team.

In 2016, squad members admitted discussing Brexit as the nation prepared to vote to leave the European Union.

Defender Ryan Bertrand said at the time: ‘We have a brief chat about it at the dinner table when we unwind. But I’m not going to declare (my voting intention) in public.’

Mr Southgate has been drawn into politics during his time leading the Three Lions, especially during the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020.

His players have taken the knee before kickoff to show unity in the fight against racism despite criticism from fans.

Meanwhile, Mr Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer have attempted to use the beautiful game during the campaign to connect with voters.

Labour have even gone so far as to say the Tories’ national service plans would deprive the nation of watching wonderkids such as Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen - who were respectively part of the England set-up at an international competition aged 18.

If England fail to get past the group stage of Euro 2024 in Germany, they will likely be back in England and able to cast their ballot in person.