Former England captain Alan Shearer has sparked controversy by suggesting Morgan Rogers should start instead of Jude Bellingham in England's opening World Cup 2026 match against Croatia. Shearer emphasizes midfield balance and maximizing Harry Kane's impact.
The first thing Alan Shearer did when we met in a modest studio in north-west London last week was set alight England's biggest World Cup debate.
With Thomas Tuchel's 26-man squad heading for Miami today, discussion has quickly shifted from who made the cut to who should start when England begin their 2026 campaign, against Croatia on June 17. And Shearer has one particularly eye-catching view. That Jude Bellingham should not start. Instead of the Real Madrid icon, former England captain Shearer would give that position to Morgan Rogers.
His argument is less about Bellingham and more about balance, partnerships and current form. Speaking at the launch of Betfair's World Cup campaign 'Everyone's Got An Opinion, Back Yours At Betfair', the Newcastle United legend outlined the midfield trio he believes gives England the best platform.
'Jude Bellingham doesn't start the first game for me,' he says. 'I think Thomas will go with what has done well for him in England games: (Elliot) Anderson and (Declan) Rice (at the base of midfield), and then Morgan Rogers ahead of them. I would expect him to go with those three. That's what I would do.
' It is a polarising view given Bellingham's standing in the game. Few players of his age have amassed such experience or expectation, progressing from Birmingham City to Borussia Dortmund and then Real Madrid after a £115million move in 2023. But England have spent years trying to fit all of their attacking talent into the same side. Tuchel appears determined to avoid that trap.
His squad selection suggested a focus on profiles rather than reputations and partnerships rather than popularity. That helps explain Rogers' growing importance. Twelve months ago, the Aston Villa midfielder was still establishing himself in the Premier League. Now he finds himself at the centre of conversations about England's strongest XI after a remarkable campaign.
He became a driving force behind Villa's top-four finish and Europa League triumph, producing a goal and an assist in the final before being named Europa League Player of the Season. His return of 14 goals and 12 assists in 55 appearances has elevated him into one of England's most exciting attacking options, and he is drawing interest from the likes of Premier League champions Arsenal this summer.
If there was one consistent theme in Shearer's assessment of England's best approach, it was the need to maximise Harry Kane. England's captain is the nation's record goalscorer and one of the most complete forwards of his generation. Yet Shearer believes England have not always created the right conditions for him to thrive in tournament football.
'We didn't see the best of Harry Kane in the last tournament a couple of years ago and I think to get the best out of Harry, as we've seen in that Bayern Munich team this season, you need players running past him and getting beyond him,' Shearer says. 'He is brilliant at coming deep to get the ball and then playing those passes himself, but you have to have players going beyond him, and we didn't quite have that.
If England are going to do well in this tournament, they have to get the best out of Harry.
' That observation goes some way towards explaining Rogers' appeal. His instinct is to run beyond defenders, attack space and exploit the areas Kane creates when dropping deep. It is also why Shearer is convinced by the midfield pairing behind him. Anderson's status as England's first-choice defensive midfielder represents a remarkable rise for a player whose departure from Newcastle United in 2024 was painful for supporters such as Shearer, but may ultimately have accelerated his development.
'Anderson's gone on another three or four levels since leaving Newcastle,' Shearer says. 'As much as it hurt, and as hard as it was when he left Newcastle, I think it's certainly helped him feel a huge part of being really important in that team. He's a wonderful talent and he's only going to get better.
' Of course, every England squad announcement creates winners and losers. If Rogers and Anderson are among those building momentum, others face more uncertain prospects. Phil Foden is one of those, having been left behind along with Cole Palmer.
'We're in such a very, very good position in the No 10s,' Shearer says. 'Certainly one, maybe even two really, really talented players have to be left out.
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