Thomas Tuchel has handed Jude Bellingham the number ten jersey for England's World Cup campaign, but the Real Madrid midfielder faces a genuine battle to secure a starting spot ahead of Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers. With both players in fine form, the decision could define England's opener against Croatia on June 17 in Dallas.
The Numerical Puzzle
It would be easy to assume that Tuchel, like his predecessor Gareth Southgate, will simply field the players wearing numbers one to eleven. At Euro 2024, Southgate largely stuck to that formula, starting ten of the eleven players with squad numbers 1-11 in the final against Spain, with only Kobbie Mainoo (number 26) breaking the pattern. For England's first game of the 2026 World Cup, a similar lineup would read: Pickford, Konsa, Guehi, Stones, O'Reilly, Anderson, Rice, Saka, Bellingham, Rashford, and Kane. However, the right-back position remains contested—Reece James wears 24, likely due to his club number—and Anthony Gordon (number 18) has a strong case to replace Marcus Rashford. Yet the most heated debate centres on the number ten role, currently assigned to Bellingham.
Bellingham's Big-Game Pedigree
Bellingham's season at Real Madrid was slightly interrupted by injuries, but he still made 40 appearances, scoring eight goals and providing five assists. While Rogers boasts superior numbers—14 goals and nine assists in 55 outings for Aston Villa—Bellingham's reputation as a 'clutch player' sets him apart. He has delivered under extreme pressure for both club and country, most notably with an overhead kick equaliser against Slovakia in the 2024 European Championship round of 16, deep into added time. He has also scored added-time winners in two El Clasico matches. Such elite pedigree makes him a natural choice for high-stakes encounters.
Tuchel's Tactical Mind Games
Tuchel has deliberately stoked the competition, having previously made controversial remarks about Bellingham's behaviour—comments for which he later apologised—and by refusing to offer the 22-year-old any selection guarantees. This narrative could serve as added motivation for Bellingham, who has never lacked drive when representing England. As the tournament progresses, Tuchel may opt for a system that accommodates both Bellingham and Rogers, given their outstanding qualities. However, for the opening match against Croatia, Tuchel will likely want to make a statement. And no player is more capable of delivering a statement than the one wearing the number ten.
