Jude Bellingham's overhead kick against Slovakia at Euro 2024, scored with the clock reading 94 minutes 34 seconds, was an iconic moment. He turned to England's supporters and said, "Who else?" – no one argued. Two years later, at the World Cup, that star has dimmed. Bellingham is now preparing to face Croatia in England's World Cup opener in Dallas, with his place in the starting XI the subject of intense debate.
Bellingham emerged as England's golden boy at Euro 2024, but the buildup to the 2026 World Cup has been different. England head coach Thomas Tuchel has operated a strict no-star system, refusing to treat any player as undroppable. The emergence of Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers – a boyhood friend of Bellingham – has created genuine competition for the No. 10 role behind captain Harry Kane. Tuchel has even left Bellingham out of a squad, despite the Real Madrid midfielder wanting to play after recovering from shoulder surgery last October.
“Jude Bellingham's England role at the 2026 World Cup explained, including competition with Morgan Rogers and Thomas Tuchel's tough love.”
The tension between player and coach has occasionally been public. After a friendly defeat to Senegal last June, Tuchel revealed that his own mother sometimes viewed Bellingham's on-field behaviour as "repulsive" – a word Tuchel said he used "unintentionally" and later apologised for. But the message was clear: reputations count for nothing under Tuchel.
For England fans, Bellingham's form is critical. He is the team's most gifted midfielder, capable of moments that decide knockout ties. But if he struggles against Croatia – a familiar foe who have caused England heartache in the past – questions will only grow louder. The match in Dallas will be played in high heat and humidity, though the AT&T Stadium has air conditioning. Around 10,000 England supporters are expected to watch.
Q: Why has Jude Bellingham's place in England's team been questioned? After his Euro 2024 heroics, Bellingham has faced increased competition from Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers, and Thomas Tuchel has shown he is willing to drop even star players. Bellingham was left out of a squad last October despite wanting to play after shoulder surgery.
Q: What is Thomas Tuchel's relationship with Jude Bellingham? Tuchel has been brutally honest with Bellingham, apologising after saying his own mother viewed Bellingham's behaviour as "repulsive". Tuchel refuses to operate a star system, making Bellingham's place subject to debate.
Q: When and where is England's World Cup opener? England face Croatia in Dallas on Wednesday, with around 10,000 England fans expected. The AT&T Stadium has air conditioning to combat the high heat and humidity. Tino Livramento was ruled out of the tournament with a calf injury, and Trevoh Chalobah has been called up as his replacement.
What happens next will define Bellingham's World Cup. He is expected to start against Croatia, but his performance will be scrutinised. If he delivers another "who else?" moment, the narrative shifts. If not, the debate over his role – and Tuchel's tough love – will only intensify.