Jude Bellingham is being asked to maintain peak form as Thomas Tuchel leans on England's driving midfielder for the World Cup knockout phase. Bellingham has scored in both Group L matches, with England now preparing to face DR Congo on Wednesday after progressing unbeaten from the group stage.
Tuchel has made clear how central Bellingham is to England's plans, especially in high-pressure games. The Real Madrid midfielder struck against Croatia in the opening group match, then dominated Panama, where Bellingham scored and assisted before being substituted in the second half.
Against Panama, England won 2-0, with Bellingham opening the scoring and then crossing for Harry Kane's header. At 22 years and 363 days, Bellingham became the youngest England player
on record, since 1966, to both score and assist in a single World Cup match.
Bellingham created four chances against Panama, including the assist for Kane, more than any other player in that match. That total also matched Bellingham's best creative output for England, first achieved with four chances against Latvia in a World Cup qualifier in March 2025.
Tuchel described how Bellingham has fitted into the squad and coaching demands since the build-up. "He was very positive from the first day in camp. He buys fully into all the things we demand as a team player, and then he brings his own individual quality to decide football games," Tuchel said ahead of England's clash with DR Congo. "That's what you see in World Cups now, and what you see from other teams and other big players. We have it in him and he's a key player. He buys fully into all the things we demand of him as a team player. So well done until now. He needs to keep going. "
Bellingham is one of four starters based at overseas clubs in Tuchel's line-up, alongside Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford and Jarell Quansah. That combination produced a first for England in a World Cup match, as highlighted by Opta, with the statistic underlining England's changing club footprint.
4 - In Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford and Jarell Quansah, England have fielded a starting XI for a FIFA World Cup match with four players from non-English club sides for the very first time. Overseas. pic.twitter.com/87ksAAwxZVOptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 27, 2026
Jude Bellingham England World Cup fitness and intensity
Tuchel also set out why Bellingham has been carefully managed during matches after returning from injury. "After his injury, he's just happy to play again. He feels free and he can also put out this kind of intensity in a short period of time now. That's why we also take care of him at the moment after 60, 67 minutes because we saw in the last months that he did not produce this kind of intensity for club and country. "
The England head coach stressed that Bellingham's energy levels shape the team's approach in attack and defence. "When he does that, he is a key player. He needs to play with this intensity, he loves to play on this kind of stage. We try to support him, help him to be the best version of himself. We will also push Morgan [Rogers] to fight for his place. We will need anybody because they are versatile, they can play with each other, and they are a threat to any opponent, so it's good that we have him in this kind of spirits. "
Jude Bellingham England World Cup progress and next opponents
England have now gone through the group stage without defeat in consecutive World Cup tournaments for the first time since a run of three between 1998 and 2010. Across those two recent group campaigns, England have recorded four wins and two draws, reflecting consistent early-tournament form under different managers.
Tuchel's team will meet DR Congo in the knockout round, with the winner set to face either Mexico or Ecuador in the last 16. For England, Bellingham's form, fitness and creativity remain central, as Tuchel looks to build on an unbeaten group record and carry that stability into the elimination matches.
