Jude Bellingham Becomes Youngest European to Play at Four Major Men’s Tournaments

England midfielder Jude Bellingham set a new European record against Croatia, becoming the first player to make appearances at four major men’s tournaments before turning 23.

Jude Bellingham has become the youngest European player ever to play at four different major men’s tournaments.

He’s reached the milestone after being selected by Thomas Tuchel ahead of Morgan Rogers in the starting XI for England‘s World Cup opener against Croatia.

In doing so, Bellingham becomes the first player to achieve the feat before turning 23 years old, reaching the landmark at 22 years and 353 days.

The previous record had been set only four days earlier when Jamal Musiala (23 years, 108 days) made his fourth major tournament appearance in Germany’s 7-1 demolition of World Cup minnows Curaçao.

Alongside Musiala, Spain’s Pedri (23 years, 202 days) and Belgium’s Jérémy Doku (24 years, 19 days) also made their fourth major tournament appearances at the 2026 World Cup, against Cape Verde and Egypt, respectively.

Despite still being just 22 years old, Bellingham is already among the most experienced young players in major tournament history.

His appearance against Croatia takes him up to 16 appearances for England at major tournaments, more than the likes of Frank Lampard, Tony Adams and Bryan Robson.

In fact, it’s the most appearances by any European player in history before turning 23, moving him one clear of teammate Bukayo Saka and ahead of players such as Josko Gvardiol (14), Pedri (14), Cristiano Ronaldo (12) and Michael Owen (12).

During his England career so far, Bellingham has scored three goals and provided two assists at major tournaments.

Perhaps the most memorable of those contributions came at Euro 2024 against Slovakia in the round of 16, when his audacious overhead kick sent the game to extra-time and helped England turn the tie around.

Scored after 94 minutes and 34 seconds, it remains England’s latest-ever goal in regulation time of a European Championship match.

Bellingham made his senior England debut in November 2020, coming off the bench in a 3-0 friendly victory over the Republic of Ireland at Wembley.

At just 17 years and 136 days, Bellingham became the third-youngest England men’s international behind Theo Walcott and Wayne Rooney.

Since then, he has developed into one of the most versatile players in international football. At Euro 2024, he played in multiple positions, spending 39% of his minutes in an attacking midfield role and 38% off the left flank. He also featured in a deeper midfield position (20%) and on the right-hand side of the attack (3%).

Bellingham is expected to play a key role as one of England’s primary No. 10s at this World Cup. His ability to link midfield and attack, carry the ball through central areas and contribute goals himself makes him one of Tuchel’s most important players as England hunt down World Cup glory.

*All stats are accurate before England’s match with Croatia on 17 June.

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