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Thomas Tuchel reveals Jude Bellingham faces tough competition for a spot in England's starting XI for the World Cup, with 14 or 15 players vying for the position. Fans will discover how Bellingham's recent form and injury history impact his World Cup prospects.
Since Tuchel took over as England's manager in January 2025, Bellingham has started only four matches and come off the bench three times. In contrast, Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers has become a key player, appearing in 12 of 13 matches and starring in all eight World Cup qualifying games.
Bellingham's journey has been rocky; he missed two qualifiers last September due to a shoulder injury and was absent from the October camp. He returned in November but had to sit out friendlies in March because of a hamstring issue. Tuchel's relationship with Bellingham has faced scrutiny, particularly after the manager criticized the midfielder's behavior during a match against Senegal, although he later apologized.
However, following a strong performance in a World Cup warm-up against New Zealand, where Bellingham captained the team in a 1-0 victory, Tuchel praised his decisiveness and energy. Bellingham appears to be regaining his form just in time for the tournament, positioning himself as a vital player for England.
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