England World Cup Qualifying: Bellingham Waits, Saka Shines

England World Cup qualifying began with a 2-0 win over Serbia, but the spotlight was dominated by big selection calls from Thomas Tuchel. Notably, Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham started on the bench as competition heats up for a place in England’s 26-man squad bound for North America in 2026.

England World Cup Qualifying: Saka and Eze Lead, Bellingham on Bench

England World Cup qualifying kicked off with a confident performance at Wembley, as Bukayo Saka set the tone early with a stunning volley after Serbia failed to clear a free kick. The Three Lions controlled possession, but Serbia threatened with dangerous counter-attacks, intent on keeping their World Cup hopes alive.

With England already qualified, Tuchel’s lineup gave fringe players an opportunity to stake their claim. Eberechi Eze sealed the win in stoppage time, curling a spectacular shot into the top corner, capping England’s final home fixture before the 2026 tournament.

Bellingham and Foden in the Shadows

The biggest pre-match talking point was the omission of Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden from Tuchel’s starting XI. Instead, Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers started as England’s No.10, accompanied in midfield by Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson. Tuchel has made it clear he views Bellingham and Foden as attacking midfielders, not wide players—a message that their place in the team is far from guaranteed.

Introduced as substitutes, both Bellingham and Foden contributed to Eze’s decisive goal, demonstrating their quality and desire to regain starting roles. Foden commented post-match: “I thought I did well, created some chances, unlucky not to put a few away. Overall I have to be happy with my impact.” Both players, with huge reputations, will be pushing for more than cameo roles as the tournament approaches.

Bellingham’s Battle for a Starting Spot

Jude Bellingham’s status as a world-class midfielder is unquestioned at club level, but England World Cup qualifying has thrown his place in the national team into uncertainty. While his drive and creativity were evident off the bench, Tuchel’s tactical preferences mean Bellingham must prove himself anew amid fierce competition.

Bukayo Saka: Consistency Key Amid High Expectations

Despite becoming Arsenal’s highest-scoring England player last month, Saka received a public challenge from Tuchel to deliver even more. Saka responded the best way possible—by scoring the opener against Serbia. His undeniable influence from the right flank makes him one of the few certain starters in Tuchel’s England, alongside Harry Kane and Declan Rice.

Saka himself acknowledged the high bar: “Just being on the pitch is enough. The manager pushes us to be our best. So, yeah, it’s up to me.” His electric performance against Serbia only strengthens his claim as an irreplaceable asset for the Three Lions.

Eberechi Eze and Nico O’Reilly Impress

The heightened scrutiny on Bellingham and Foden has enabled Eberechi Eze to quietly assert himself. As one of five substitutes, Eze looked fresh and hungry, scoring his third England goal and making a case as Tuchel’s ideal impact sub. Eze humbly played down his prospects, saying: “There’s a lot of talent in the team. It’s the type of competition you want to be up against.”

Debutant Nico O’Reilly also impressed, showing composure and intelligence in his first senior cap. The Manchester City youngster was influential on the left, linking up well and adapting quickly to international football. Tuchel praised O’Reilly’s intelligence and adaptability, while the player himself called it “a dream come true.”

Ezri Konsa Steps Up in Defence

With John Stones finally fit, England World Cup qualifying has revealed a defensive pecking order. Ezri Konsa capitalized on Marc Guehi’s injury absence, using his pace to thwart Serbian counters and boosting his own World Cup hopes.

Marcus Rashford Misses Opportunity

Marcus Rashford, revitalized at Barcelona, failed to capitalize on his start. Despite moments of promise down the left, he lacked the final product. Still, Roy Keane believes Rashford should be England’s first choice ahead of Anthony Gordon, praising his threat when in form. Rashford’s link-up play with Rice and O’Reilly was a silver lining on an otherwise quiet night.

Bellingham Faces England World Cup Qualifying Challenge

For Bellingham, the England World Cup qualifying campaign now doubles as a personal audition. His main rivals—O’Reilly and Rogers—are seizing their chances, while his own bench role highlights Tuchel’s ruthless approach to selection. Bellingham’s fight for a starting spot will be one of England’s key subplots in the run-up to the tournament.

Myles Lewis-Skelly Drops Down the Pecking Order

Myles Lewis-Skelly, once tipped as a future midfield anchor, has struggled for minutes at Arsenal and was omitted from this squad. O’Reilly’s rise only complicates his return to the national team, showing how quickly fortunes can change during England World Cup qualifying.

Serbia’s World Cup Dreams Dashed

Serbia’s defeat not only ended their night but extinguished their World Cup hopes, with Albania advancing to the play-offs. Tuchel acknowledged Serbia’s quality and the difficult challenge they posed, but England’s superiority proved too much in the end.

Opinion: Selection Dilemmas Are a Sign of England’s Strength

Thomas Tuchel’s brave selection choices in England World Cup qualifying underline the squad’s extraordinary depth. While it’s surprising to see talents like Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden as substitutes, the intense battle for places is a positive sign for England’s chances next summer. Maintaining competition will keep the squad sharp and hungry—crucial ingredients for a successful World Cup run.

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