Thomas Tuchel has warned Jude Bellingham that he is not guaranteed a starting place for England at the 2026 World Cup

Thomas Tuchel has warned Jude Bellingham that he is not guaranteed a starting place for England at the 2026 World Cup. Despite being one of England’s biggest stars and a key player for Real Madrid, Tuchel said there are “14 or 15 potential starters” competing for places in the team.

Key points

• Bellingham played in only four of England’s eight World Cup qualifiers, while other midfielders such as Morgan Rogers featured more regularly.

• He captained England during the second half of the 1–0 win over New Zealand, showing that he remains an important leader within the squad. (

• Tuchel praised Bellingham’s form and attitude after returning from injury but stressed that every player must earn their place through performances.

• Declan Rice has been officially named England’s vice-captain behind Harry Kane. Bellingham is still considered part of the team’s core leadership group.

What it means

Tuchel is not suggesting that Bellingham will be dropped. Instead, he is emphasizing that England have strong competition in midfield and attacking positions, so even top players must continue performing well to secure a starting spot. At the moment, Bellingham remains one of England’s most important players, but his place in the starting XI is not automatic.