It’s become something of an England ritual at this World Cup.
The final whistle blows, another win is secured, and Harry Kane leads his teammates toward the sea of England supporters up one end of the stadium. He stands a couple of paces in front of the rest, hands on hips, soaking it all in as thousands serenade the team with “Wonderwall” by Oasis.
Then comes “Hey Jude” by The Beatles.
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As the chorus echoes around the stadium, the television cameras inevitably find Jude Bellingham. He smiles, almost bashfully, appearing genuinely moved as tens of thousands belt out his name in unison.
We’ve seen the scene play out twice already — after victories over Croatia in Dallas and Panama in New Jersey. Each moment provided goosebumps to those in attendance. A moment of national unity. And each time it has reinforced the same conclusion: England’s hopes of finally ending nearly six decades of hurt may ultimately rest on two men.
One is the captain, the nation’s all-time leading goalscorer. The other is the generational talent, still only in his early twenties, who already carries himself as though football’s biggest stages were built for him.
Kane remains England’s heartbeat. Bellingham is rapidly becoming its soul. Together, they have given this team something every serious World Cup contender needs: belief and genuine superstardom in their ranks.
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So far, it’s been the tournament of the superstar. None of the star flowers have wilted. Goals from a combined roster of Lionel Messi (6), Ousmane Dembélé (4), Erling Haaland (4), Killian Mbappé (4) and Viní Jr. (4) have reached 22 across the group stage in just 1,538 combined minutes of play.
Kane (3) and Bellingham (2) are well on their way to joining this stellar cast after memorable, goal-scoring performances against Croatia and Panama — Bellingham receiving the Player of the Match award in two of the three fixtures.
After following England from Dallas, to Boston and New York at this summer’s tournament, it’s clear that supporters believe Kane and Bellingham hold the keys to their success.
They are the first names on the England team sheet when you ask anyone to divulge their starting XI — from the Fort Worth stockyards to New York’s Times Square via downtown Boston, bars are littered in shirts, donned by young and old, reading Kane, 9 or Bellingham, 10.
With Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham at the helm, England has a World Cup trophy in its sights.
(Image Photo Agency via Getty Images)
If you speak with locals — some not even engaged by the summer’s festivities — they can at least name one of Kane or Bellingham, but no other player. If you speak with rival fans, they are quick to speak positively of England’s chances because of their couple of star players.
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But after a goalless draw with Ghana and a goalless first half against Panama, the England groans were becoming audible. Standing in the drizzling New Jersey rain, surroundings felt a little too close to home, and Thomas Tuchel’s England were jogging painful memories of Roy Hodgson’s European Championship campaign in 2016 — hobbling through the groups before a catastrophic exit at the hands of Iceland in the last 16.
But then both Bellingham and Kane decided — once again — to seize the moment, and carry this England outfit over the line in what should have been a routine win.
This reliance on “moments players” and moments in general isn’t without risk. But it’s something Tuchel’s squad has been picked to harness. Tuchel’s nickname, “Tournament Thomas,” isn’t by chance — England’s FA were scrupulous in their search for a Gareth Southgate successor, and the German’s ability to read tournament football and win (sometimes ugly) when needed will become more and more apparent in the knockout rounds.
He did it at Chelsea in 2021, leading the Blues to their second Champions League title after just five months in charge.
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In fact, it’s something that has long been in the planning for this summer’s tournament. Speaking back in November last year, Tuchel’s right-hand man, assistant Anthony Barry, described just this: a tournament of moments.
“The environments out there do not facilitate world-class football. So for me, it’s going to be a tournament of moments. You’re not going to see the best team playing the best football. The team that wins the World Cup will be one of moments and, to say it again, it will be a team – because you’re going to have to suffer.”
Sure, this was directed more toward the weather and severe heat across Mexico and parts of the United States, but as knockout fixtures become more congested and injury lists begin to grow, this reliance on moments — and players capable of them — will become stronger.
At this moment, nations including France, Spain and Argentina still lead England in bookmakers odds. They, like England, have players willing and able to break the mold.
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Tournaments aren’t won like league titles. You can’t coach moments like you can coach tactical set-ups and set pieces. But what you can do is build a squad to better facilitate the players that are capable of these moments.
This is what Tuchel has gambled on at this year’s World Cup. He has been paid the big bucks to make the big decisions in an attempt to end England’s 60-year wait for a major trophy. England have spent years searching for the perfect system, but this year they might not need one. His big bet is still on the table: the trust that two exceptional footballers can do exceptional things when it matters most.
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