Jude Bellingham

Jude Bellingham is a confirmed midfielder in England's 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, named by Thomas Tuchel on 22 May 2026 alongside Elliot Anderson, Eberechi Eze, Jordan Henderson, Kobbie Mainoo, Declan Rice and Morgan Rogers. The Real Madrid midfielder is 22 at kick-off and brings 46 senior England caps into the squad, making this his second World Cup after the quarter-final run at Qatar 2022.

England face Croatia, Ghana and Panama in Group L, with the opener against Croatia at AT&T Stadium in Arlington on 17 June. Tuchel's side qualified by winning UEFA Group K on 14 October 2025, and Bellingham is listed among England's midfielders.

Bellingham is a do-it-all midfielder, with work rate, playmaking, interceptions and fast dribbling as the core of his profile. He carries the ball through the lines, arrives in the box on late runs, and combines ball progression with press resistance from the half-spaces, which fits the central-midfield brief Tuchel's 4-2-3-1 needs from a senior international. Versatility balances the all-action side of the game rather than being sacrificed for it.

Since his 2023 move to Real Madrid he has taken on a more advanced role in midfield, often positioned in the number 10 position as an attacking midfielder, or even as a false 9 or second striker on occasion. Six international goals for England fit a midfielder who steps forward when the shape allows it; Bellingham is still listed in England's midfield group for the 2026 squad.

England are a Tier 1 pick on the Goal Rush card at £32m within the game's £200m card budget, the premium top-band slot rather than a mid- or lower-tier call. The Group L draw against Croatia, Ghana and Panama sets the early fixture context, with Tuchel's confirmed 4-2-3-1 and England's UEFA Group K qualifying run giving the team slot its main Goal Rush angle.

Bellingham is part of the England team card at that £32m slot in the midfield group.