Jakarta, ThedailyID — Jude Bellingham did not start for England in their FIFA World Cup 2026 third-place playoff against France after head coach Thomas Tuchel opted to rotate his squad.
The decision was part of Tuchel’s workload management strategy following a demanding World Cup campaign. It was not related to injury or disciplinary issues.
England and France met in the bronze-medal match on July 18 after both nations suffered semifinal defeats.
Tuchel chose to rest several regular starters and give opportunities to other players. He also aimed to manage player fatigue after weeks of competition.
Bellingham has been one of England’s standout performers throughout the tournament. The midfielder delivered several influential displays, including an impressive performance in England’s quarterfinal victory over Norway.
England’s midfield depth allowed Tuchel to rotate his lineup without significantly weakening the team. Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze, and Morgan Rogers were available for selection.
The announced starting lineup featured Jordan Henderson in goal. Rice and Eze started in midfield, while Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, and Ivan Toney led the attack.
Meanwhile, Bellingham began the match on the bench.
Despite not starting, the Real Madrid star remained available as a substitute if needed. England’s coaching staff views the decision as routine squad rotation rather than a reflection of his performances during the tournament.
