Jude Bellingham Aims for Resurgent Role in England's World Cup Campaign

Jude Bellingham is set to feature prominently for England in their upcoming World Cup campaign, starting with an opener against Croatia in Dallas on Wednesday. His build-up to the tournament suggests he is a key figure in the team's pursuit of the World Cup title. Bellingham has reportedly secured the No. 10 role, playing behind captain Harry Kane, amidst competition from Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers.

Bellingham previously delivered an iconic moment for England at Euro 2024, scoring a spectacular overhead kick against Slovakia in the last 16. This equalizer, scored at 94 minutes 34 seconds, helped secure a 2-1 extra-time victory. England subsequently reached the final but lost to Spain.

Since Euro 2024, Bellingham's international presence has faced obstacles. His relationship with England head coach Thomas Tuchel has occasionally been described as fragile. Tuchel once apologized for an "unintentional" comment revealing his mother viewed Bellingham's on-field behavior as "repulsive" after a friendly loss to Senegal in June. Additionally, Tuchel omitted Bellingham from the squad for a friendly against Wales and a World Cup qualifier against Latvia last October, despite Bellingham's desire to play after shoulder surgery.

Bellingham's international career has also been interrupted by injuries, including shoulder and hamstring issues. These factors, along with squad omissions, have resulted in him making only nine starts in 20 games since the Euro 2024 final.

Upon arriving in the United States for the World Cup, Bellingham, aged 23, has appeared fit, focused, and well-integrated into Tuchel's squad. He was seen presenting Liverpool's 17-year-old Rio Ngumoah with his first cap after a debut against New Zealand in Tampa. Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson, an analyst for the BBC, indicated that England is seeing a return to Bellingham's previous form, noting his fitness and focus. Jordan Henderson, who mentored Bellingham when he joined the England squad in 2020, believes Bellingham provides crucial "X Factor" for the team.

England aims to end a trophy drought for its men's team that dates back to the 1966 World Cup.

(Source: Yahoo Sports Soccer)