With the 2026 FIFA World Cup just six months away, England’s preparations are gathering pace—and according to Morgan Rogers, the Three Lions are fortunate to have a player of Jude Bellingham’s caliber leading the charge.
In an exclusive interview with talkSPORT, the Aston Villa midfielder spoke candidly about England’s growing expectations, internal competition, and the media scrutiny surrounding Bellingham. Rogers was particularly keen to defend the Real Madrid star, dismissing suggestions of unrest within the squad and emphasizing the importance of Bellingham’s mentality ahead of the tournament in the United States.
England will arrive at the World Cup as one of the favorites, with head coach Thomas Tuchel already beginning to shape his provisional 26-man squad for next summer. One name that appears almost guaranteed to be included is Bellingham, who has been a constant presence in major tournaments since breaking into the senior team.
However, recent headlines questioned Bellingham’s attitude after the midfielder appeared visibly frustrated when substituted during a World Cup qualifier against Albania. Some reports suggested tensions within the squad, claims that Rogers believes are completely unfounded.
“He Has That Mentality”
Rogers, who has known Bellingham for most of his life, offered a firm defense of his teammate.
“I’ve known Jude for almost my entire life, so I know exactly what kind of person he is,” Rogers said.
“He has passion, drive, and an incredible desire to win and to be the best. That’s why he’s progressed so quickly. His attitude, his mentality—everything about him is geared toward winning, standing out, and performing on the biggest stages.”
According to Rogers, Bellingham’s visible emotions on the pitch should be viewed as a strength rather than a problem.
“He wants to lift the World Cup trophy for England. He wants to score the decisive goal and control matches,” Rogers added. “That hunger is what makes him special.”
Despite already achieving so much at a young age—including starring for Real Madrid and becoming a central figure for England—Bellingham remains relentlessly ambitious.
“He’s at this level for a reason,” Rogers continued. “He’s a great person and an outstanding footballer. We’re lucky to have someone like him representing England because he’s genuinely world-class.”
Fierce Competition for the No.10 Role
One of the biggest selection dilemmas facing Tuchel ahead of the 2026 World Cup is deciding who will occupy the coveted number-10 role. England are blessed with creative talent, and the competition for attacking midfield positions is arguably the strongest it has been in years.
Bellingham will face competition from the likes of Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Eberechi Eze. Rogers himself could enter the conversation after an impressive season with Aston Villa, where he has registered three goals and five assists across competitions.
The 23-year-old acknowledged that competition is intense but believes it is essential for tournament success.
“The teams that win major tournaments always have depth,” Rogers said. “It’s not just about having a strong starting eleven—you need options everywhere.”
“Everyone wants to play, everyone wants to wear that shirt and contribute. That’s natural. We’re all footballers, and we all want to shine.”
Rogers emphasized that tactical demands and match situations will ultimately shape selection decisions.
“The team’s needs can change depending on the opponent, the game plan, and the situation. All those factors matter.”
Unity Over Ego
One recurring narrative in the build-up to major tournaments is the idea of internal rivalries within England’s squad. Rogers was quick to shut that down.
“The most important thing is that everyone is performing at their best,” he said. “When you put that shirt on, you give everything—and that’s what we all do.”
He also rejected claims of players undermining one another.
“Whether it’s one of my closest friends or someone I don’t know that well, it makes no difference. We’re on the same side. We don’t tear each other down.”
“That’s just a media narrative—something people like to debate,” Rogers added. “We don’t think about it. We’re one team, and we want the best for each other.”
England’s World Cup 2026 Schedule
England have been drawn into Group L following the official World Cup draw conducted earlier this month. The Three Lions will begin their campaign against Croatia on June 17 at the Dallas Stadium.
Their second group match comes against Ghana on June 23 at the Boston Stadium, before concluding the group stage against Panama at the New York–New Jersey Stadium four days later.
Should England finish top of Group L, they will advance to face one of the third-placed teams from Groups E, H, I, J, or K in the round of 16, with that match scheduled to take place in Atlanta on July 1.
A Team Built Around Belief
As expectations rise and scrutiny intensifies, Rogers believes England’s success in 2026 will depend not just on tactics or talent, but on mentality. In that regard, Jude Bellingham may prove decisive.
His drive, leadership, and refusal to accept mediocrity could set the tone for the entire squad. For Rogers, that mentality is not a problem—it’s exactly what England need if they are to finally bring football’s greatest prize home.
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