Bellingham Needs to Fight for England World Cup Spot - Tuchel

England coach Thomas Tuchel has said Jude Bellingham must work hard to secure his place in England’s starting lineup at the World Cup. He mentioned that the squad now has “14 or 15 potential starters” in different positions.

Bellingham, who played a big role for England at Euro 2024, has had a less regular position since Tuchel became coach in January 2025. The Real Madrid midfielder has started only four matches under Tuchel and has come off the bench three times. Injuries and fitness problems have affected his availability during the season.

Tuchel made it clear that Bellingham is still in his plans but no player is guaranteed a spot. He stated, “Yes, he has a fight on his hands,” when asked about Bellingham’s chances to start. “He is one of the starters, he knows he is one of the starters, but we have 14 or 15 potential starters.”

Instead, Tuchel has often relied on Morgan Rogers, who has been one of the most reliable players since Tuchel took over. Rogers has played in 12 out of 13 matches under the German coach and was the only player to feature in all eight of England’s World Cup qualifiers.

Despite this, Tuchel said the situation is still changing. He noted that roles are still open as England gets ready for the tournament. The fight for positions is expected to grow as the team finalizes its plans, with strong competition in midfield and attack seen as one of their key strengths.

Bellingham’s recent performances have given hope to England fans. After struggling with injuries earlier this year, Tuchel praised his energy and sharpness. He commented that Bellingham has returned to a “sweet spot” both physically and mentally. Tuchel also highlighted Bellingham’s “decisiveness and bite” after a strong performance in England’s recent warm-up match against New Zealand, where he wore the captain’s armband for a short time after coming on at half-time.

Tuchel’s remarks show England’s growing depth and the challenge of balancing talented players with consistent tactics. Midfielder Declan Rice is expected to be a key player and vice-captain in the tournament, providing more stability to a very competitive midfield group.

As the World Cup gets closer, Tuchel’s message is clear: just having a good reputation won’t guarantee a starting place. Even well-known players like Bellingham will have to fight for their spot in a squad where competition is getting tougher.