Bellingham aims to regain England star status at World Cup
8 reported
According to a single-source BBC report, Jude Bellingham enters the 2026 World Cup seeking to restore his standing with England after a period of diminished form and limited starts. Bellingham will face Croatia in England's opener in Dallas on Wednesday, competing with Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers for the No. 10 role behind captain Harry Kane. England head coach Thomas Tuchel has refused to operate a star system, and the emergence of Rogers has made Bellingham's place a subject of debate. Bellingham has only made nine starts in the 20 games England have played since the Euro 2024 final, due to injuries and being left out of the squad by Tuchel. Tuchel apologized after revealing his own mother sometimes viewed Bellingham's on-field behavior as "repulsive" following a friendly loss to Senegal last June. Bellingham has looked fit and focused in friendlies against New Zealand and Costa Rica, and former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson stated England is getting the "Jude Bellingham of old back for the World Cup."
What’s reported
Jude Bellingham will face Croatia in England's World Cup opener in Dallas on Wednesday.
Bellingham is competing with Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers for the No. 10 role behind captain Harry Kane.
Bellingham has only made nine starts in the 20 games England have played since the Euro 2024 final.
Tuchel apologized after revealing his own mother sometimes viewed Bellingham's on-field behavior as "repulsive" following a friendly loss to Senegal last June.
Tuchel left Bellingham out of England's squad for a friendly against Wales and a World Cup qualifier against Latvia last October, even though Bellingham wanted to be included after shoulder surgery.
Bellingham currently has 48 caps and is poised to play in his third major tournament.
Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson said Bellingham looks "as fit and focused as he has for a long time."
England teammate Jordan Henderson described Bellingham as having an "X-factor" and being a "big-game player."
Key figures
Jude Bellingham (England midfielder, Real Madrid player)
Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa player)
Harry Kane (England captain)
Thomas Tuchel (England head coach)
Jordan Henderson (England teammate)
Paul Robinson (former England goalkeeper, BBC Radio Five Live analyst)
Rio Ngumoah (17-year-old Liverpool player, received first cap)
Sources: BBC News
