World Cup 2026: Jude Bellingham emphasizes the importance of feeling loved when playing for England

Midfielder Jude Bellingham has stressed the importance of players feeling "loved" as he tries to help England achieve success at this summer's World Cup. The North American tournament began last Thursday, when Mexico - one of the host countries along with the US and Canada - defeated South Africa 2-0. England will not begin their journey until next Wednesday, when they face Croatia in Arlington, Texas.

Bellingham was part of the England squad that reached the Euro 2024 final, but were beaten by Spain. However, the national team - then led by Gareth Southgate - was often criticized for its poor form in that tournament, with Bellingham once saying he felt like a "scapegoat" for England's failure. Bellingham admitted that there was something about the team feeling "not really connected" during the Euros, but insisted that the current atmosphere within the squad is different.

"At the Euros we made some mistakes off the field," he told England's Lions' Den. "I don't feel that the group has connected as well as it could have for many reasons. Expectation is part of it - we played well in 2018 and did well in Qatar [World Cup 2022] and going into that tournament we were considered one of two or three teams that should win.

"We didn't play really well so even when we win you don't feel as happy as you should. There is an essential element of constantly wanting to win, but the nature of football is that victories are quickly forgotten and we should hold on to those moments longer.

"I think this time, with those experiences... and knowing that the person who scores the winning goal in a World Cup final is not always the person you would bet on, so everyone always has to be ready, everyone has to feel loved and an important part of the team. The other thing is to enjoy it."

Bellingham's England teammate, Morgan Rogers, also emphasized the unity of the current group. England are looking to win the World Cup for the first time since 1966 and hope their unity will take them further than Euro 2024. Aston Villa striker Rogers could compete with Bellingham for the No. here."