Jude Bellingham has been handed the England No 10 shirt for the upcoming World Cup, a significant boost in his bid to start the tournament under head coach Thomas Tuchel. The Real Madrid star's squad number was confirmed in the list submitted to FIFA, signalling his likely role in the central attacking position.
Bellingham's Battle with Rogers
Bellingham has been competing with Morgan Rogers for the coveted No 10 role. While squad numbers are not guaranteed indicators of starting places, the assignment is certainly telling. Rogers has impressed this season and attracted interest from Arsenal, but Tuchel's decision to give Bellingham the No 10 shirt suggests the Real Madrid man is now favourite to start against Croatia on June 17.
Rashford and O'Reilly Also Boosted
Marcus Rashford has been given the No 11 shirt, traditionally a first XI number, which may boost his chances of starting on the left wing ahead of Anthony Gordon. Nico O'Reilly, who received the No 3 shirt, is the favourite to start at left back. The squad numbers for the 26 players were unveiled as England prepare for their World Cup opener.
Training Camp Underway
England's players held their first training session in Florida on Tuesday after arriving in the United States. An open public session took place at a tennis club in West Palm Beach. However, Arsenal's quartet of Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, and Noni Madueke have been given until Friday to report, while Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson is due on Wednesday, following their respective European finals.
The squad has been supplemented by additional training players, including Alex Scott, Rio Ngumoha, Josh King, Ethan Nwaneri, and goalkeeper Jason Steele, to help with numbers during sessions.
Defensive Shirt Numbers
Reece James has been assigned the No 24 shirt he wears for Chelsea, while Ezri Konsa takes the No 2 shirt previously worn by Kyle Walker under Gareth Southgate. John Stones will wear the No 5 shirt, but the central defensive positions remain open, with Konsa and Marc Guehi currently favourites to start.
Full England World Cup Squad Numbers
- 1: Jordan Pickford
- 2: Ezri Konsa
- 3: Nico O'Reilly
- 4: Declan Rice
- 5: John Stones
- 6: Marc Guehi
- 7: Bukayo Saka
- 8: Elliot Anderson
- 9: Harry Kane
- 10: Jude Bellingham
- 11: Marcus Rashford
- 12: Tino Livramento
- 13: Dean Henderson
- 14: Jordan Henderson
- 15: Dan Burn
- 16: Kobbie Mainoo
- 17: Morgan Rogers
- 18: Anthony Gordon
- 19: Ollie Watkins
- 20: Noni Madueke
- 21: Eberechi Eze
- 22: Ivan Toney
- 23: James Trafford
- 24: Reece James
- 25: Djed Spence
- 26: Jarell Quansah
