Tuchel calls up Dortmund’s Bellingham for the first time – Kane on the verge of a record

Jobe Bellingham is set to make his debut for England. National team manager Thomas Tuchel has named the BVB player in the squad for the upcoming Nations League matches. Bayern’s Harry Kane is on the verge of a record.

Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid has been one of the Three Lions’ standout players for years; now his brother, Jobe Bellingham, could also make his debut for England. The Borussia Dortmund midfielder has been named in the 25-man squad selected by England manager Thomas Tuchel for the upcoming Nations League matches against Croatia this coming Thursday and against Spain on 15 November.

Jobe is thus following in his brother’s footsteps. He, too, made his international debut whilst playing for BVB; on 12 November 2020, he made his first appearance in the Three Lions’ 3–0 friendly win against Ireland.

Jobe Bellingham has been playing for Borussia Dortmund since the summer of 2025; this season, he has featured in 14 of a possible 15 competitive matches and has an average rating of 3.07.

King included, Palmer absent

Alongside the 21-year-old, Josh King of Fulham FC could also make his debut. The 19-year-old, who has scored two goals in eight Premier League matches this season, was initially included in Tuchel’s extended World Cup squad but was subsequently dropped. Cole Palmer, however, is not in the squad this time round. The 24-year-old Chelsea forward produced mixed performances following a strong start to the season, but recently caught the eye again with a goal in the 2–0 win over Manchester United. Yet this was not enough in Tuchel’s eyes.

Kane to replace Shilton

Harry Kane is almost certain to set a new record. The Bayern Munich striker and Ballon d’Or winner currently shares the record for most England caps with Peter Shilton on 125 – a appearance against Croatia and/or Spain will see him become the sole record-holder.

England sit second in Nations League Group A3, behind world champions Spain, with two matches remaining. Should the Three Lions avoid defeat against Croatia, they would secure their place in the quarter-finals regardless of the outcome of the top-of-the-table clash in Spain. The likelihood of them achieving this is high: in the first leg, England secured a 7–0 thrashing in Croatia.