England Secures Third Place in FIFA World Cup 2026 with Bellingham's Record-Breaking Performance
England Triumphs in FIFA World Cup 2026
In a thrilling conclusion to the FIFA World Cup 2026, England clinched third place by defeating France 6-4 in an exhilarating match. Bukayo Saka was the standout performer, netting a hat-trick, while Jude Bellingham made a significant impact despite coming off the bench for the last 16 minutes. In the dying moments of the game, Bellingham scored a goal, marking a remarkable World Cup journey for him. This goal set a new record, as it was his seventh in the tournament, making him the highest-scoring midfielder in a single FIFA World Cup campaign, surpassing Colombia's James Rodríguez, who had six goals in 2014.
Top Midfielders by Goals in a Single FIFA World Cup
| Player | Country | Goals | Year |
| Jude Bellingham | England | 7 | 2026 |
| James Rodríguez | Colombia | 6 | 2014 |
| Diego Maradona | Argentina | 5 | 1986 |
| Teófilo Cubillas | Peru | 5 | 1970 / 1978 |
| Wesley Sneijder | Netherlands | 5 | 2010 |
Bellingham Sets New England Record
Jude Bellingham's impressive tally of seven goals has now made him the highest scorer for England in a single FIFA World Cup campaign, breaking the previous record held by Harry Kane (2018, 2026) and Gary Lineker (1990), both of whom scored six goals.
England's Top Scorers in FIFA World Cup History
| Player | Goals | Year |
| Jude Bellingham | 7 | 2026 |
| Harry Kane | 6 | 2026 |
| Harry Kane | 6 | 2018 |
| Gary Lineker | 6 | 1986 |
| Geoff Hurst | 4 | 1966 |
Notably, Harry Kane also scored six goals during the FIFA World Cup 2026, making them the first duo from the same nation to achieve this feat in a single tournament. England's third-place finish marks their best performance in the World Cup since they won the trophy in 1966.