Jude Bellingham is poised for a return to the England squad as manager Thomas Tuchel prepares to announce his selections for the final two World Cup qualifiers. The Real Madrid midfielder, who was surprisingly omitted from the previous squad, is expected to be named in the team for the matches against Serbia at Wembley and Albania in Tirana.
Bellingham's exclusion from the October squad for the friendly against Wales and the qualifier against Latvia raised eyebrows, especially considering England had already secured their place at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Tuchel cited Bellingham's recent return from shoulder surgery as the primary reason, stating that the midfielder was not in optimal physical condition. Despite this explanation, speculation arose regarding a potential rift between the player and the manager.
Tuchel had previously apologized for comments he made in June, where he mentioned that Bellingham's mother found some of his on-field behavior "repulsive". This history added another layer of intrigue to the situation, making Bellingham's potential recall a significant talking point.
Since the last international break, Bellingham has been in impressive form for Real Madrid, scoring three goals in five appearances. His return to the England squad would provide a significant boost to the team's midfield options. Bellingham's statistics showcase his talent, with 73 goals and 59 assists over 321 matches. So far in the 2025/2026 La Liga season, he has two goals and one assist in seven matches.
The upcoming matches against Serbia and Albania represent the final international window of the year and a crucial opportunity for players to solidify their place in Tuchel's plans for the World Cup. With England already qualified, Tuchel faces the decision of whether to experiment with the squad or focus on building a cohesive unit for the tournament.
Other notable absentees from the previous squad included Phil Foden, whose World Cup hopes could be in doubt if he is left out again. However, Foden's recent performance for Manchester City, where he shone in a Champions League win against Borussia Dortmund, may have improved his chances of a recall.
The England squad announcement is scheduled for Friday, where Tuchel will reveal his final selection of the year. Besides Bellingham, other players such as Danny Welbeck are in contention. Injuries will keep Anthony Gordon out of contention. The inclusion of Jude Bellingham would mark a significant step towards solidifying England's squad for the 2026 World Cup.
