Bellingham cites squad cohesion as key to England’s World Cup ambitions
Jude Bellingham says the current England camp has a different atmosphere to the Euro 2024 squad, with teammate Morgan Rogers backing the shift in unity as Thomas Tuchel’s side prepares for North America.
England midfielder Jude Bellingham has emphasised the necessity of squad cohesion and feeling valued within the group as the national team prepares for the 2026 World Cup in North America. Speaking on England’s Lions’ Den show, Bellingham reflected on the team’s Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain, acknowledging that high expectations and off-pitch distractions previously hindered the group’s connection.
Bellingham, who scored once during England’s Euro 2024 campaign, admitted that the squad was not sufficiently aligned during that tournament. He noted that the pressure of being viewed as a favourite, following strong performances in the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, created an environment where even victories did not generate the expected happiness. He described feeling like a scapegoat for the team’s failure to win the tournament under former manager Gareth Southgate.
The midfielder stated that the current camp under new manager Thomas Tuchel possesses a different atmosphere. Bellingham highlighted that the group has learned from past experiences, recognising that success in football is unpredictable and requires every player to feel like an integral part of the team. He stressed the importance of enjoying the moment and maintaining a relentless desire to win without being burdened by previous outcomes.
Teammate Morgan Rogers echoed these sentiments, describing the current group as highly aligned and seamless in its integration. The Aston Villa forward noted that the squad’s unity transcends age, background, and club affiliation, creating an environment where any player can fit in easily. Rogers’ comments come as he competes with Bellingham for the number 10 position, a dynamic that appears to have fostered rather than fractured the squad’s internal dynamics.
England’s tournament campaign begins next Wednesday against Croatia in Arlington, Texas. The match follows the opening of the 2026 World Cup in Mexico City on Thursday, where hosts Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0, breaking a historical pattern of host nations losing their opening fixture. England, who have not won the World Cup since 1966, will look to leverage this renewed sense of togetherness to advance further than they did in the Euro 2024 final.
