Jude Bellingham: England's Euro 2024 squad lacked connection despite final run
Synopsis
Jude Bellingham has broken his silence on what went wrong inside England's Euro 2024 camp — and the answer is blunter than expected. Despite reaching the final, the squad 'didn't connect' off the pitch, leaving players winning without feeling happy. With Thomas Tuchel now in charge and a World Cup opener against Croatia days away, the culture reset England desperately need is being put to the test.
Key Takeaways
Jude Bellingham admitted England's Euro 2024 squad lacked off-pitch cohesion despite reaching the final in Germany .
Bellingham said the group 'didn't connect as well as it could have' and victories felt hollow due to poor performances.
England are now preparing for FIFA World Cup 2026 under new head coach Thomas Tuchel .
Bellingham is in contention to start against Croatia on 17 June after impressing in a warm-up win over Costa Rica .
Morgan Rogers of Aston Villa is competing with Bellingham for a starting spot, though both players describe their relationship as brotherly.
England have not won a major trophy in 60 years , last lifting the World Cup in 1966 .
Jude Bellingham has opened up on the fractured team dynamics that plagued England during UEFA Euro 2024, admitting the squad failed to bond properly off the pitch even as Gareth Southgate's side reached the final in Germany. The Real Madrid midfielder made the remarks as England prepare for their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign under new head coach Thomas Tuchel.
What Bellingham Said About Euro 2024
'At the Euros, I think we got a few things wrong off the pitch. I don't feel the group connected as well as it could have for a number of reasons,' Bellingham said in an interview with Lions' Den.
England entered the tournament as one of the favourites, yet consistently underwhelmed on the pitch, drawing criticism even during their winning run. 'We were seen as one of two or three teams that could win it, but we weren't playing well, which doesn't help. So even when we were winning, we didn't get the feeling that we were as happy as we should be,' he added.
The 22-year-old acknowledged the memories still unsettle him. 'I still remember how I was feeling at the time. It always makes me feel a bit uncomfortable because it was such a bad situation,' Bellingham said. This is a notably candid admission from a player who was among England's standout performers during the tournament despite the collective struggles.
England's World Cup 2026 Preparations
Bellingham is now in contention for a starting berth against Croatia on 17 June, following an encouraging showing in England's warm-up victory over Costa Rica on Wednesday. The contrast in squad mood under Tuchel, according to reports, has been markedly different from the Euro 2024 camp.
England are chasing their first major trophy in 60 years, having last lifted the FIFA World Cup on home soil in 1966. The pressure to deliver has intensified with each near-miss, and Tuchel's appointment was widely seen as an attempt to reset the culture within the camp.
Bellingham and Morgan Rogers: Competition and Camaraderie
The midfielder also addressed his relationship with Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers, who is competing with him for a place in the starting XI. 'He is a top guy. He can get along with anyone and have conversations with anyone. He can be a bit loud. We have debates that turn into arguments a lot, but we get on like brothers, to be fair,' Bellingham said.
Tuchel had initially indicated both players were vying for the same position, but Bellingham suggested the manager's thinking has evolved. 'I know that has eased up a bit more now that he sees me playing more positions and Morgs playing more positions, but I honestly have no ill feelings when he is playing, and I'm not playing,' he said.
What to Watch
England's opening World Cup 2026 group fixture against Croatia on 17 June will be an early indicator of whether Tuchel has resolved the cohesion issues that haunted the Euro 2024 campaign. Bellingham's form and his ability to coexist with Rogers in a flexible system will be among the key tactical storylines to follow.
Point of View
Where camp disharmony is typically buried under PR-managed clichés. That a player of his stature felt compelled to name the problem — even without naming individuals — suggests the Euro 2024 dysfunction ran deeper than tactical misfires. The more pointed question is whether Tuchel has genuinely fixed the culture or merely redecorated it. England have reached three major finals and two semi-finals since 2018 without winning any of them; the gap between squad talent and tournament delivery points to something structural, not just a bad run of form. Bellingham's admission, timed just before a World Cup opener, reads less like reflection and more like a warning — one that Tuchel would do well to heed.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Jude Bellingham say about England's Euro 2024 campaign?
Bellingham admitted the squad 'didn't connect as well as it could have' off the pitch during Euro 2024, and that even victories felt unsatisfying because England were not playing well. He described the memories of the tournament as still making him 'feel a bit uncomfortable.'
Who is England's new head coach ahead of the 2026 World Cup?
Thomas Tuchel is England's head coach for the FIFA World Cup 2026. He replaced Gareth Southgate, who stepped down after the Euro 2024 final defeat.
When does England play their first World Cup 2026 match?
England face Croatia on 17 June in their opening FIFA World Cup 2026 group fixture. Bellingham is expected to be in contention for a starting role after a strong showing in the warm-up win over Costa Rica.
What is the relationship between Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers?
Bellingham described Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers as someone they 'get on like brothers,' despite competing for the same position. He said he holds no ill feelings when Rogers plays ahead of him.
How long has it been since England last won a major trophy?
England have not won a major international trophy in 60 years, with their only title being the 1966 FIFA World Cup, which they hosted. The World Cup 2026 represents another opportunity to end that drought.
