Bellingham ‘proud’ despite semi-final loss

Jude Bellingham said his overriding emotion was pride after England’s FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final defeat to Argentina, as they look ahead to the Bronze final against France on Saturday.

Late goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez gave the reigning world champions a 2-1 win at Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday, where Anthony Gordon had fired the Three Lions in front early in the second half.

But Thomas Tuchel’s side can still make it the Three Lions’ most successful FIFA World Cup campaign since winning it in 1966, if they beat France in the Bronze final for third place.

England are guaranteed at least-their joint-best finish on foreign soil, and level with their best finish at the World Cup in 60 years.

Bellingham believes his team-mates can be proud of their efforts across the tournament and says they’ll continue to give everything to bring success to the country.

“I think the one thing that’s overriding for me is pride,” he said.

“Proud to represent my nation, proud to have given them a few good moments along the way. I’ll be back, we’ll be back and we’ll give everything we have to try and bring it home for us.

“I think all the lads did everything we could. Over the course of the tournament, you can’t fault the effort and the fight and all those things.

“That’s the life of a footballer at this level, the more kind of beautiful the journey the more kind of heartbreaking the hurt is.

“I’m really proud of all my team-mates for putting a magnificent shift in the last couple of weeks.”

England have received fantastic support throughout the tournament, from both the thousands of fans who travelled across North America and those cheering them on back home.

It was the same once again in Atlanta, and for Bellingham, being unable to give the fans the ending they hoped for only added to his disappointment.

“I think we can take a lot from the experience, but it’s so gutting,” he added.

“I wanted to be part of an England squad that finally did it, that finally got it over the line and to be here telling the fans unfortunately the same things that they have probably heard for years and years, it’s really gutting.

“I wish I could say more, I wish I could give more, one more win or two more wins.”

England will be back in action on Saturday when they face France in the third-place play-off game in Miami at 10pm BST.