England’s Jude Bellingham rejects Thomas Tuchel’s criticism: ‘whatever’
England manager Thomas Tuchel is happy that his team outlasted Norway in a 2-1 extra time win on an extremely hot and humid day in Miami, but he hated how they looked in the process of advancing to the semifinal of the 2026 FIFA men’s World Cup.
While speaking with Gabriel Clarke post-match, Tuchel unleashed on England’s “sloppy” form, noting, “We got lucky today.” He did passionately defend his players when Clarke posited that perhaps they had a mentality issue, but overall, Tuchel made it clear he was “not happy with the performance.”
Tuchel’s criticism was relayed to England star midfielder Jude Bellingham, who had absolutely no time for any of it.
“Yeah, well, whatever,” Bellingham said, literally shrugging it off. “Whatever.”
“It’s difficult out there,” he continued. “It’s difficult. It’s a tough shift. All the players have put in a very tough shift, so my thoughts and appreciation goes to players who was out there and put in a great shift yet again.”
England captain Harry Kane was also asked to react to Tuchel’s post-match comments and took a more diplomatic approach.
“I think it’s a positive,” Kane said, per FOX Sports. “I mean, to get to the semifinal of a World Cup and still know that there’s a level we haven’t quite reached — with the ball, I think. I think, without the ball, the lads were outstanding today. The effort, the desire, the work rate. I think all the main ingredients to be a team, we have that. We’ve shown that in every knockout game so far.”
Kane said “the boss gets frustrated” because England’s talent has not translated to a consistent attack in the final third.
Bellingham has scored a brace in each of England’s past two wins — defeating Mexico at Azteca last weekend before ousting Norway — and his and Kane’s heroics are the main reason the Three Lions are still alive to win their first men’s World Cup title since 1966. Bellingham and Kane have scored six goals apiece, combining for 12 of England’s 13 total goals at this World Cup.
It will take all that and more in the semifinal in Atlanta on Wednesday, July 15. England will face the winner between Argentina and Switzerland and, in all likelihood, hope the Swiss emerge victorious. Argentina is vying to become the first repeat men’s World Cup champion since Brazil in 1958 and 1962 and, scariest of all, have Lionel Messi on their side.
Check out clips from England’s quarterfinal win over Norway below.
