Bellingham to Start at No.10 as England Face Croatia in 2026 World Cup Opener

Jude Bellingham will start in England’s number 10 shirt when Thomas Tuchel’s side face Croatia in their 2026 World Cup Group L opener in Dallas this Wednesday (21:00 BST). The 22-year-old Real Madrid midfielder pips Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers to the central attacking midfield role — a decision that sets the tone for England’s entire tournament.

Tuchel’s Call: Why Bellingham Gets the Nod Over Rogers

Thomas Tuchel has ended weeks of speculation: Jude Bellingham wears the number 10 shirt against Croatia, not Morgan Rogers. Declan Rice of Arsenal and Elliot Anderson of Nottingham Forest are expected to complete the midfield trio, with Bellingham given licence to operate between the lines and arrive late into the box.

Bellingham has scored six goals from 48 England appearances — a solid return for a midfielder who only broke into the senior setup at 17. At Real Madrid, where he has delivered across multiple Champions League campaigns, he has learned to produce in the moments that define tournaments. That is exactly the version Tuchel needs on Wednesday night in Dallas.

England vs Croatia: A Rivalry England Need to Reset Tonight

Croatia have beaten England twice at major tournaments: the 2018 World Cup semi-final in Moscow and the Euro 2020 group stage opener. England’s record against Croatia in tournament football reads W1 D0 L2. Tuchel’s side do not just need three points — they need to bury eight years of painful history in a single performance.

Luka Modrić, still operating at 40, gives Croatia their creative heartbeat from midfield. His duel with Bellingham — the man who now plays for the same club in Madrid — is the central subplot of this match. Whoever wins that midfield battle is likely to win the game.

What England Need from Bellingham Against Croatia

Croatia’s defensive structure relies on a compact mid-block and disciplined pressing. Bellingham’s ability to receive between the lines, carry at pace and arrive late into the area is precisely the profile designed to unlock that system. He does not need to score to justify the selection — he needs to create the spaces that Harry Kane and the wide attackers can exploit.

The danger for Tuchel is Bellingham drifting too deep, becoming a ball-carrier rather than a goal threat. In his best England performances — including his goal against Serbia at Euro 2024 — he found the balance between creation and penetration. Croatia will work hard to prevent him finding it again.

When and Where to Watch England vs Croatia

England vs Croatia kicks off at 21:00 BST on Wednesday 18 June 2026 at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas (16:00 local time). The match is live on BBC One and ITV in the United Kingdom.

A win in the Group L opener gives England a commanding platform to progress and, more importantly, a psychological foundation for the knockout rounds. With Bellingham pulling the strings and Kane leading the line, the talent is undeniably there — Wednesday night is the first chance to prove it.

FAQ