'Leave Jude At Home' - This Bullshit Front Page From November Has Done The Rounds About Jude Bellingham

How Could Anyone Say Jude Bellingham Should Have Been Left Away From This Summer's World Cup?!

Jude Bellingham has without question been one of the stars of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The 23 year-old attacking midfielder has shone for England, scoring six goals on the Three Lions way to the semi-finals. Making him the joint-fourth top scorer at the tournament alongside fellow England star Harry Kane. With his performances in the knockout stages in particular superb. Almost single handedly dragging England from a goal down to eventual winners in the quarter-finals versus Norway with a brace, alongside the two goals he also got in the previous round vs Mexico.

With that form, and Bellingham currently the hero of the nation, it begs the question why there was any debate ahead of the tournament around his place in Thomas Tuchel's starting XI. But there was.

This may have been due to Tuchel's certain reluctance to start the Real Madrid midfielder in some of his previous matches as England boss. Or because Bellingham had endured a mixed campagin in the Spanish capital, struggling often for fitness and consistent form as his side went trophyless for the first time in five seasons.

With Bellingham the current darling of the nation, and one of the main stars of this summer's World Cup, a particular headline from the months leading up to the beginning of the tournament and the announcement of Tuchel's decided England squad has resurfaced on social media.

The Daily Mail said England should leave Jude Bellingham at home.

A take that aged like milk left out in the Miami sun. https://t.co/kzUTZEAG6m

— Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) July 11, 2026

The headline in question comes from The Daily Mail newspaper, and it's chief football reporter Craig Hope. With the headline on the front page reading 'Leave Jude At Home', before the report states that leaving Bellingham out of the squad to take part in the World Cup in North America would be for the good of the team, despite Bellingham's obvious quality.

Hope's and the Daily Mail's report states that leaving Bellingham out would be due to the benefit of the squad, saying the 3 year-old has proven himself to be 'divisive and petulant' despite his talent.

Such claims can be considered laughable looking back now as the World Cup enters it's endgame phase. The harmony amongst the England squad has hardly ever been stronger, with Bellingham at the very heart of it with his performances on the pitch inspiring and galvanising players and supporters alike.

John Stones 🕺😂

The energy in the changing room last night 🔥 pic.twitter.com/mKqId1pnyJ

— England (@England) July 6, 2026

If Bellignham was someone who had a sign of being childish and petulant, he certainly hasn't shown it this summer. The midfielder has been the very example of maturity. Whilst Bellingham has been criticised in the past by Tuchel for his attitude, it appears both have put their differences behind them, and both men, the team and country as a whole are reaping the rewards as a result. With Bellingham being the star of the show as England have the chance to reach their first World Cup final since the success of 1966 vs West Germany.

Bellingham's appearance in the quarter-final matchup vs Norway was the midfielder's 54th cap for the senior national side, a feat pretty remarkable considering his age of just 23. He had become the youngest player in the history of the England national team to reach 50 caps and whilst Kane is just five behind record-holder Peter Shilton at the time of writing, it looks almost certain that one day Bellingham will overtake them all and stand alone as the all-time appearance maker for England's men's team.

But for Bellignham, the main target will be bringing success to England in the form of trophies. Major tournament success since 1966 remains ilusive. But with Bellingham in this kind of form and the unity between England's players and supporters at an all-time high, optimism that Tuchel can bring football home at last. And with Bellingham in the form of his life, this could well be the year for the Three Lions.