World Cup 2026 | Jude Bellingham calls for unity in England to succeed in the tournament

Jude Bellingham, a key leader for England, stressed the importance of fostering a sense of belonging within the national team to achieve success at the 2026 World Cup. He reflected on the past Euro 2024 tournament, where England reached the final but experienced internal friction.

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I feel like the group didn't connect as well as it could have for various reasons.

"I feel like the group didn't connect as well as it could have for various reasons," Bellingham stated on the "Lions' Den" podcast. The Real Madrid midfielder acknowledged that despite reaching the final, the team's performance and internal dynamics left room for improvement. He noted that even wins felt less satisfying when the team wasn't playing at its best.

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We were seen as one of the two or three teams that should win it.

"There has to be that element of perseverance and wanting to win," Bellingham explained. "But the nature of football, especially at this level, is that wins disappear from the system very quickly, and I think we should have held onto that moment a bit longer." He called for every player to be prepared and feel valued, recognizing their significant role within the squad.

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We weren't playing particularly well, which doesn't help. So even when we were winning, it felt like we weren't as happy as we should have been.

England is set to begin its World Cup campaign against Croatia on Wednesday in Arlington, Texas. The team aims to build a strong "brotherhood" under coach Thomas Tuchel to compete for their first world title since 1966.

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There has to be that element of perseverance and wanting to win. But the nature of football, and especially at this level, is that victories disappear from the system very quickly and I think we should have held onto that moment a bit longer.