Will Jude Bellingham play tonight for England vs France in FIFA World Cup 2026 third-place playoff match?

Jude Bellingham has managed seven goal contributions so far in the tournament.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 has reached its final grand weekend, leaving only the podium positions left to be determined after a gruelling battle. In a heavyweight encounter, the England national football team will face France in the third-place playoff match at the Miami Stadium in Florida, USA.

France and England share one of the fiercest rivalries in world football, having competed 31 times before this fixture, with the Three Lions holding a massive edge with 17 wins. They played at the World Cup four times. Their most recent fixture came at the 2022 quarter-finals, with France defeating England 2-1.

Thomas Tuchel on Jude Bellingham’s availability

Manager Thomas Tuchel has officially confirmed that midfielder Jude Bellingham is in peak physical condition and is guaranteed to start against France. He highlighted the indispensable nature of a profile like Bellingham. His explosive box-to-box energy, elite press-resistance, and immense goal-scoring threat will be absolutely vital against Les Bleus’ world-class midfield.

Jude Bellingham has unquestionably emerged as England’s most influential player in this World Cup campaign. He anchors the midfield with discipline while constantly making movements forward. The player provides a massive attacking advantage for the Three Lions.

His role was dictating the tempo and play during the group stages. It ensured England qualified seamlessly as undefeated group leaders. He scored once against Croatia and Panama.

Bellingham then displayed his elite big-game experience in the Round of 16 against co-hosts Mexico. He helped a 10-man England squad secure a dramatic 3-2 victory, scoring a brace.

His biggest moment of the tournament arrived in the quarter-finals against Norway. He netted a magnificent brace in a 2-1 win. He single-handedly booked England’s place in the semi-finals.

He has managed to register six goals and one assist so far in the tournament. If he manages to score a goal tonight against France, Jude Bellingham will achieve the record for most goals scored by a midfielder at a single World Cup. He is currently tied with James Rodríguez, who secured the record during the World Cup 2014.

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