Jude Bellingham is back. After an absence that sparked controversy, debate, and public questions about his character, England manager Thomas Tuchel has reportedly decided to restore the Real Madrid midfielder to the squad for the November fixtures on the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Inside the national team, the sentiment is unanimous: this was only a matter of time. The most influential talent of his generation returns to the place many believe he never should have left.

The plan is for Bellingham to rejoin the group ahead of England’s matches against Serbia and Albania, crucial qualifiers where the Three Lions aim to close the year with the consistency that defined their previous cycle.

An Absence That Sparked Strong Reactions

Last month, Tuchel raised eyebrows when he left Bellingham out — despite the midfielder already being back in action for Real Madrid after shoulder surgery. The German coach stated that the 22-year-old lacked the “rhythm” required for international competition.

England ultimately secured qualification without him, but the explanation did little to calm the noise. Additional tension arose when Tuchel referenced comments from Bellingham’s mother about him being “impulsive” at times, feeding speculation of internal concerns about his personality.

Tuchel stood by the decision as a matter of “team cohesion,” a phrase that didn’t land well among fans or analysts.
“We’re not looking for the most talented; we’re looking for a team. Teams win trophies — nobody else does,” he said, emphasizing that his choices were about respecting the group that got the job done in September.

Bellingham Answers in the Best Way He Knows: On the Pitch

While the debate around his exclusion continued, Bellingham responded exactly where he’s most convincing: on the field. He has scored three goals in his last four matches for Real Madrid, once again reminding the world why he is one of football’s most decisive players.

According to The Athletic, that form — combined with his full physical recovery — has persuaded the England staff that now is the right moment to bring him back into the national-team structure. With 43 caps and growing influence in every competition he plays, his return is more than a correction — it’s a competitive necessity.

Danny Murphy Backs the Decision: “If You Had 11 Bellinghams, You’d Win Everything”

Former England international Danny Murphy has been one of the strongest supporters of Bellingham’s return, pushing back on concerns about the player’s temperament.
“He is, by far, the best personality on the pitch when England play. He produces big moments, changes games, gives everything. If you had 11 Bellinghams, you’d win most tournaments,” he said.

Murphy insisted the midfielder is a true “game-changer” and that England’s chances of winning a World Cup increase dramatically with him not just in the squad, but in the starting XI.

While he accepted Tuchel’s reasoning for leaving him out in October — due to a lack of match sharpness — he made it clear that it would be “astonishing” not to see Bellingham as a central figure in 2026.