Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White said winning a European trophy would be his biggest achievement during the club's Europa League semifinal run.
Gibbs-White is attempting to secure a place on England's World Cup squad. His current form and the high stakes of Forest's European campaign provide a critical window to prove his value to national team selectors before the tournament begins.
The midfielder has recorded 16 non-penalty goal contributions since the start of 2026 [5], with seven of those occurring in March [5]. His recent surge in production includes his first career hat-trick against Burnley [1]. He said that he has one month to prove his worth for the World Cup [2].
However, a facial injury has complicated his preparations for the Europa League semifinal second leg against Aston Villa [3]. Vítor Pereira said Gibbs-White is in "pain" because of the injury and might have to wear a mask to play [4].
There is currently uncertainty regarding his availability for the clash. Some reports indicate Forest will leave the decision as late as possible [3]. Other reports state he was unable to earn a place in the squad for a match against Newcastle, despite appearing on the bench during a previous Europa League loss [3].
Gibbs-White remains focused on the potential for silverware. He said the intersection of club success and international recognition is the primary goal for the remainder of the season.
“"Would be my biggest achievement"”
Gibbs-White's pursuit of a World Cup spot depends on his ability to maintain a high scoring rate while overcoming physical setbacks. A strong performance in the Europa League semifinals would not only elevate Nottingham Forest's status but also provide the tangible evidence needed to displace established midfielders in England's deep squad.
