Paul Scholes: “England Can’t Win the 2026 World Cup Without Bellingham, Foden, and Grealish”

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has voiced his concern over England’s 2026 FIFA World Cup hopes, insisting that the Three Lions have no chance of winning the tournament unless manager Thomas Tuchel recalls Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, and Jack Grealish to the national squad.

England secured qualification for the World Cup in emphatic fashion with a 5–0 victory over Latvia on Tuesday. However, the win came without three of the country’s most creative talents — a decision that Scholes found surprising.

“I was a little bit surprised. Those three players [Bellingham, Grealish, and Foden], they have to be in his [Tuchel’s] squad, and they will be in his squad for the World Cup,” Scholes said on The Overlap.

“If you look at the squad now, you would say they have virtually no chance of winning the World Cup. Even with those three players, it is still a big ask, but it gives you more of a chance of winning the cup.”

Scholes also urged Tuchel to reintegrate Bellingham quickly, noting that the Real Madrid star is fit again after a brief spell on the sidelines.

“Thomas Tuchel has not got many games left now until the World Cup actually starts — it’s only the November break and then the March one — so we need to get these players playing,” he added.

⚽ Opinion: Scholes Has a Point — England Needs Its Magic Trio

Let’s face it — Paul Scholes might sound blunt, but he’s absolutely right. England’s current team is strong, yes, but it lacks that spark — that creative edge only players like Bellingham, Foden, and Grealish can bring.

Bellingham has been a revelation for Real Madrid, showing maturity far beyond his age. Foden is Manchester City’s tactical magician, and Grealish — love him or not — brings flair and unpredictability that can unlock even the tightest defences.

Leaving these three out feels like trying to win a race without your fastest runners. England might still put up a good fight, but greatness demands more than just structure — it demands magic.

Tuchel’s tactical discipline is unquestionable, but the World Cup isn’t just about control; it’s about moments — those flashes of brilliance that change games. And if anyone can deliver those moments for England, it’s this trio.

Scholes’ message, in essence, is simple but powerful: if England wants to lift that golden trophy in 2026, it needs to play with its most gifted artists — not just its best soldiers.