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European Edition Saturday, 19 September 2026
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Football

Bellingham set to start for England against Croatia

Bellingham set to start for England against Croatia

Jude Bellingham is set to start in England's coveted number 10 role in their World Cup opener against Croatia.

Jude 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?

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