[3] He was expected to be the first-choice keeper for the 1962 FIFA World Cup in Chile, but was demoted by coach Sepp Herberger the day before the opening match.

Tilkowski destroyed his hotel room in anger and did not play for the national team for two years, but was eventually called up again.

Under Herberger's successor Helmut Schön, Tilkowski was the first-choice in goal for the 1966 FIFA World Cup in England.

[7] The final was remembered as English forward Geoff Hurst scored his controversial second goal en route to a hat-trick.

The goal was given by referee Gottfried Dienst after consultation with linesman Tofiq Bahramov, giving England a 3–2 lead.

His father, a miner, was descended from the many workers who had left Poland to seek work in the industries of the Ruhr.

He enjoyed boxing as a boy, and he initially played football as a winger before finding his calling when his team lacked a goalkeeper.