England coach Thomas Tuchel has said Jude Bellingham will have to fight for his place in England’s starting XI at the World Cup, insisting the squad now contains “14 or 15 potential starters” across all positions.
Bellingham, who was a central figure for England at Euro 2024, has seen a more irregular role since Tuchel took charge in January 2025. The Real Madrid midfielder has started just four matches under the new manager and made three further appearances from the bench, with injuries and fitness issues affecting his availability during parts of the campaign.
Tuchel stressed that Bellingham remains firmly in his plans but made clear that no player is guaranteed a place.
As reported by BBC Sport on Monday, the England gaffer was quoted as saying, “Yes, he has a fight on his hands,” Tuchel said when asked about the midfielder’s starting prospects. “He is one of the starters, he knows he is one of the starters, but we have 14 or 15 potential starters.”
The England manager has instead frequently turned to Morgan Rogers, who has become one of the most consistent performers in the squad since Tuchel’s arrival. Rogers has featured in 12 of 13 matches under the German coach and was the only player to appear in all eight of England’s World Cup qualifiers.
Despite that, Tuchel insisted the situation remains fluid, with roles still open ahead of the tournament. The competition for places is expected to intensify as England finalise their preparations, with squad depth across midfield and attacking positions seen as one of their biggest strengths.
Bellingham’s recent form has offered encouragement for England supporters. After injury setbacks earlier in the year, Tuchel praised his energy and sharpness, saying the midfielder had returned to a “sweet spot” physically and mentally. He also noted Bellingham’s “decisiveness and bite” after a strong showing in England’s recent World Cup warm-up win over New Zealand, where he briefly wore the captain’s armband after coming on at half-time.
Tuchel’s comments underline both England’s growing depth and the challenge of balancing high-profile talent with tactical consistency. Midfielder Declan Rice is expected to remain a key figure and vice-captain at the tournament, adding further stability to a highly competitive midfield group.
With the World Cup approaching, Tuchel’s message is clear: reputation alone will not secure a starting place. Even established stars like Bellingham will need to earn their spot in a squad where competition for every role is intensifying.