“Interesting situation”: Former Liverpool star questions Jude Bellingham’s attitude if England star is benched at FIFA World Cup 2026 by Thomas Tuchel

England midfielder Jude Bellingham could face an unexpected challenge at the FIFA World Cup 2026, with former Three Lions defender Conor Coady questioning how the Real Madrid star would react if he is left out of Thomas Tuchel’s starting lineup.

England begin their World Cup campaign against Croatia on June 17. Ghana and Panama are the other teams in Group L. While Bellingham remains one of England’s biggest stars, Aston Villa playmaker Morgan Rogers has emerged as a serious contender for the attacking midfield role. Rogers started 12 of Tuchel’s first 13 matches in charge and featured in all eight World Cup qualifiers, making him a strong candidate to start in the tournament opener.

Conor Coady raises questions over Jude Bellingham’s potential role

Speaking ahead of England’s opening match, Conor Coady admitted he is curious to see how Jude Bellingham would respond if he is not selected in the starting XI. The former Wolves captain noted that Rogers earned his opportunities after an impressive season and has performed consistently whenever called upon by Thomas Tuchel.

Coady suggested that if Rogers keeps his place, Bellingham may have to accept a different role, potentially entering games from the bench. He pointed out that the Real Madrid midfielder is known for showing strong emotions during matches when situations do not go his way. Because of that, Coady believes Bellingham’s reaction to a reduced role will be closely watched during the tournament.

Despite those concerns, Coady said he hopes the midfielder handles any disappointment positively. He stressed that England’s success is the most important thing and that every player must be ready to contribute regardless of whether they start or come off the bench. According to him, the situation will be one of the more fascinating storylines surrounding the Three Lions during the World Cup.

Bellingham recently played 45 minutes in England’s 1-0 friendly victory over New Zealand. The 22-year-old is expected to play a major role during the competition even if he does not start every match.

The midfielder already has World Cup experience. He scored on his tournament debut against Iran at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and later provided an assist against Senegal in the Round of 16. England eventually exited the competition after a quarterfinal defeat to France. During qualification for the 2026 World Cup, Bellingham recorded one assist in three appearances and remains one of England’s most influential players heading into the tournament.