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Why is Jude Bellingham not playing for England vs Uruguay today?

Bellingham made his Real Madrid return in the derby win over Atlético but won’t be used by Thomas Tuchel against Uruguay.

Roddy Cons

Digital sports journalist

Scottish sports journalist and content creator. After running his own soccer-related projects, in 2022 he joined Diario AS, where he mainly reports on the biggest news from around Europe’s leading soccer clubs, Liga MX and MLS, and covers live games in a not-too-serious tone. Likes to mix things up by dipping into the world of American sports.

Update: Mar 27th, 2026 14:21 EDT

Jude Bellingham will not be risked in England’s friendly against Uruguay on Friday after only recently returning for Real Madrid following a hamstring injury.

Bellingham’s recent injury troubles

Ahead of the match, England head coach Thomas Tuchel explained that the team would be cautious with Bellingham, who missed 10 club games after being forced off early in Real Madrid’s LaLiga match against Rayo Vallecano on Feb. 1.

The former Borussia Dortmund midfielder made a brief 16-minute substitute appearance in Real Madrid’s derby win over Atlético Madrid last weekend but will not feature against Uruguay.

Checking-in to SGP for March camp! 👋 pic.twitter.com/PnBiccP3Cd
— England (@England) March 24, 2026

Tuchel rules out Bellingham risks

Tuchel told the media ahead of the game, “We don’t take any risks tomorrow night.”

“I was surprised that Madrid took the risk but we don’t take the risk.

“He’s been good. Very good. Involved in training today but always like he was involved with us, always involved individually and on a very high level.

“I would say now - I’m not a doctor or physiotherapist - I would say he’s free to go latest from Saturday, latest from Sunday to get some minutes on Tuesday.”

England play a second friendly against Japan on Tuesday, a match Bellingham will hope to be involved in, along with several other players who have been rested for the Uruguay game.

England split squad for double header: Kane misses Uruguay

In an unusual move, Tuchel initially named a 35-player squad for the international double header but confirmed it would be split into two groups across the week’s matches.

Concerned about overall workload and minutes played at club level, the Germany coach has opted to rest 11 players on Friday.

That group includes captain Harry Kane, as well as key Arsenal duo Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka.

The 11 players not involved against Uruguay are: Kane, Saka, Rice, Morgan Rogers, Anthony Gordon, Elliot Anderson, Nico O’Reilly, Marc Guéhi, Ezri Konsa, Dan Burn, Dean Henderson.

All 11 are expected to rejoin the squad for Tuesday’s clash with Japan, also at Wembley. Several other players are expected to return to their clubs between the two matches, although Tuchel has not yet confirmed which ones.

Why is Jude Bellingham not playing for England vs Uruguay today?

Trent snubbed by Tuchel

One man who will not be featuring in either game is Bellingham’s Real Madrid teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was not selected for the games by Tuchel due to a “sporting choice”.