Following England's World Cup semifinal loss to Argentina, midfielder Jude Bellingham shared a poem from the team's bus driver, Michael Chandler, encouraging fans to maintain unity.
England suffered a 2-1 defeat against Argentina in the semifinals. Bellingham admitted struggling to find words to process the disappointment but shared Chandler's poem, which he felt captured his emotions during their time in Qatar. He urged supporters to continue the unity and love seen during the campaign, stating that "When we're together we can achieve big things... And we will!"
The poem, uploaded by Bellingham on his Instagram account, emphasizes mental resilience, self-control, and squad unity in the face of adversity. It details the importance of inner strength, patient strategy over reckless haste, and mastering oneself before competing against others. The text concludes by suggesting that true victory lies in self-mastery rather than solely in trophies.
Bellingham's performance in the tournament saw him score six goals. However, his participation in England's upcoming third-place game against France is uncertain. He faces a potential suspension from FIFA's disciplinary committee following an alleged incident of violent conduct involving Argentina's Valentin Barco. A guilty verdict could see him miss the final consolation match before the squad returns home.