England's ritual of songs fuels belief in Kane and Bellingham

After England's Group L victory in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the final whistle sparked a sea of supporters singing 'Wonderwall' and 'Hey Jude', with captain Harry Kane and midfielder Jude Bellingham front‑and‑centre as cameras captured the moment, underscoring their growing influence. The ritual has repeated after England's wins over Croatia in Dallas and Panama in New Jersey, each time ending with thousands chanting the Oasis anthem before the Beatles chorus. Fans line the stadium aisles, creating a unifying atmosphere that has become a hallmark of England's campaign. Kane has already netted three goals in the tournament, while Bellingham contributed two and earned Player of the Match honors in two of the three fixtures. Their combined output sits alongside a star‑studded group that includes Lionel Messi (six goals), Erling Haaland (four), Ousmane Dembélé (four), Kylian Mbappé (four) and Viní Jr. (four), totalling 22 goals in 1,538 minutes of group‑stage play. Supporters across the United States—from the Fort Worth stockyards to Times Square—wear shirts emblazoned with Kane's number nine and Bellingham's number ten, reflecting the belief that the duo holds the key to England's success. The duo's popularity has turned them into the first names mentioned when fans discuss the starting XI.

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England endured a goalless draw with Ghana and a goalless first half against Panama, prompting concerns reminiscent of the 2016 European Championship exit under Roy Hodgson. Yet Kane and Bellingham seized the moment, delivering the decisive goals that secured routine wins and kept England's World Cup hopes alive. Anthony Barry, Thomas Tuchel's assistant, said in November last year: "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."

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Tuchel, nicknamed 'Tournament Thomas', brings a reputation for thriving in knockout settings, having guided Chelsea to the 2021 Champions League title after just five months in charge. His tactical acumen is expected to become increasingly vital as fixtures tighten and injury lists grow. Despite England's momentum, bookmakers still list France, Spain and Argentina ahead of the Three Lions in the odds. Nevertheless, with Kane and Bellingham at the helm, England eyes a World Cup trophy, hoping to end nearly six decades of disappointment.