However, after scoring twice in England's final qualifier against Belarus on Wednesday, the Tottenham Hotspur striker still wore the humble expression of a player just happy to be mixing with such exalted company.
"Hopefully, I've given (coach Fabio Capello) something to think about," the much-travelled 28-year-old told reporters. "I always seem to be saying that. But I'm pleased with the way it went tonight. All I can do is score goals."
There is something in Crouch's gangly appearance that will always attract scorn from the purists who would rather have the predatory Michael Owen on the plane next June.
They would argue that a good proportion of Owen's 40 goals in 89 caps have come against serious opposition while Crouch tends to bamboozle the lesser teams.
"When I've been given opportunities I've managed to get my big size 12s on to the end of things," said Crouch, who could find himself back on the bench behind fellow England hopeful Jermain Defoe at his old club Portsmouth on Saturday.
"I've not been playing as much as I would like but hopefully I'll keep myself in the manager's thought's. I don't feel like I've let anybody down but there are a lot of players who are not in the squad who will hope to be there."
Aston Villa's Gabriel Agbonlahor, who was paired with Crouch against Belarus, still appears too raw for a World Cup although he did create Crouch's first goal.
"I know the numbers of Crouch. I have a style that I want to play in certain games," Capello said. "I know very well Peter Crouch. He scores lots of goals."
