Sir Geoff Hurst has expressed his support for England star Jude Bellingham in light of the recent controversy surrounding Thomas Tuchel’s criticism of the team.

At 84 years old, Sir Geoff commended Bellingham, 23, for his standout performance with two goals in the 2-1 victory over Norway in the quarter-finals. Bellingham’s goals secured England’s spot in the upcoming semi-final clash against Argentina, and his nonchalant response of ‘whatever’ to Tuchel’s critique was met with praise by Sir Geoff.

The legendary 1966 hat-trick hero found Bellingham’s reaction to Tuchel’s comments “fantastic,” highlighting the player’s positive attitude. Sir Geoff expressed his optimism, suggesting that England could potentially win the World Cup, emphasizing the competitive challenge posed by Argentina, a formidable team in world football.

Speaking at a London event hosted by World Cup sponsor Budweiser, Sir Geoff reflected on past encounters with Argentina, recalling the intense rivalry between the two nations dating back to the 1966 tournament and the Falklands conflict in 1982. He acknowledged Argentina as a formidable opponent but expressed confidence in England’s preparation under Tuchel’s guidance.

Looking ahead to the 2026 England squad, Sir Geoff praised the team spirit and emphasized the importance of unity in achieving success, drawing parallels to the camaraderie of the 1966 team.

When asked about the possibility of football “coming home,” Sir Geoff remained optimistic, stating his belief that England could indeed claim the title. He emphasized the importance of a positive mindset in achieving success and reaffirmed his confidence in England’s potential to win the World Cup.

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