June 8, 2026
By Adegboyega Adeleye
England manager Thomas Tuchel has admitted that Jude Bellingham is no longer guaranteed a place in his starting line-up ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting the Real Madrid star must compete for his spot like every other player in the squad.
Bellingham heads into the tournament as one of England’s biggest names and among the players many fans will be eager to watch when the World Cup kicks off on June 11. However, the 22-year-old has found himself facing stiffer competition under Tuchel than he did during the previous regime led by Gareth Southgate.
Since Tuchel took charge in January 2025, Bellingham has started only four matches, with Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers emerging as one of the German coach’s most trusted options.
