BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountHomeNewsFootball 2026BusinessTechnologyHealthCultureArtsTravelEarthSportAudioVideoLiveMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsFootball 2026BusinessTechnologyHealthCultureArtsTravelEarthSportAudioVideoLiveClose menu BBC SportMenuHomeWorld CupFootballCricketFormula 1Rugby UTennisGolfCyclingAthleticsMoreA-Z SportsAmerican FootballAthleticsBasketballBoxingCricketCyclingDartsDisability SportFootballFormula 1Gaelic GamesGolfGymnasticsHorse RacingMixed Martial ArtsMotorsportNetballOlympic SportsRugby LeagueRugby UnionSnookerSwimmingTennisFull Sports A-ZMore from SportEnglandScotlandWalesNorthern IrelandNews FeedsHelp & FAQsEnglandMen's Scores & FixturesWomen's Scores & FixturesMen's TableWomen's TableBellingham set to start for England against CroatiaImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Jude Bellingham has scored six goals from 48 appearances for England Senior football correspondentPublished17 June 2026, 17:30 BSTUpdated 23 minutes agoJude Bellingham is set to start in England's coveted number 10 role for their World Cup opener against Croatia. There has been conjecture over who will play in the central attacking midfield berth for England with Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers also a viable option in the position. However, it is understood England manager Thomas Tuchel is likely to select Bellingham, 22, for Wednesday's Group L encounter in Dallas (21:00 BST). The Real Madrid star is expected to have Arsenal's Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson of Nottingham Forest alongside him in midfield. Elsewhere, Ezri Konsa is likely to get the nod at centre-half alongside John Stones - with Marc Guehi in line to start on the bench. Reece James and Nico O'Reilly are set to start at full-back, while Harry Kane will captain the side and lead the attack. Anthony Gordon is expected to play on the left wing with Noni Madueke in line to play on the right in place of Bukayo Saka, who is working his way back to full fitness from Achilles tendinitis. Predicted line-up: Pickford; James, Stones, Konsa, O'Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Madueke, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane Can Bellingham become England's superstar once more at the World Cup? ShortsPreviousNext1:08'I'll be watching them every step of the way' - MacIntyre. 00:01:08, play video'I'll be watching them every step of the way' - MacIntyre0:59Shearer picks his England line-up for Croatia. 00:00:59, play videoShearer picks his England line-up for Croatia0:48'You've got to dare to dream' - Hart on England's chances. 00:00:48, play video'You've got to dare to dream' - Hart on England's chances1:08What have we learned from England's training? 00:01:08, play videoWhat have we learned from England's training?1:09Is the lack of World Cup fan segregation a risk? 00:01:09, play videoIs the lack of World Cup fan segregation a risk?0:28And it was all yellow...and green! 00:00:28, play videoAnd it was all yellow...and green!0:27'Asado, mate, cumbia, music - Argentina is a lot of things' 00:00:27, play video'Asado, mate, cumbia, music - Argentina is a lot of things'1:04Ranking England's last 10 World Cup kits. 00:01:04, play videoRanking England's last 10 World Cup kits1:00Why Henderson is so respected by his team-mates. 00:01:00, play videoWhy Henderson is so respected by his team-mates0:23'It's a pity' - Koulibaly on Senegal travel ban. 00:00:23, play video'It's a pity' - Koulibaly on Senegal travel ban0:50'I love Messi more than my wife!' 00:00:50, play video'I love Messi more than my wife!'Top storiesLive. Fans arriving in Dallas with England set for World Cup opener against Croatia Live. Ronaldo starts for Portugal against DR Congo at World Cup - follow live Two of football's greatest players on and off the pitch Nico O'Reilly: On making the England World Cup Squad age 21 Can Bellingham become England's superstar once more at the World Cup? Extraordinary Messi makes more history in masterclass for the ages Project Mbappe - the road to becoming France's record scorer Meet the striker who doesn't score often - but Scotland win when he does Why Shinnecock may not offer the US Open test it has in the past Hamilton's first Ferrari win a statement to himself and rest of F1 'The new Emma' - positives Raducanu can take from Queen's to Wimbledon Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
Original Source: BBC Sport
0 Comments