Local 'hero': Bellingham's hometown buzzing ahead of semi-final clash

Stourbridge, United Kingdom: As England gears up for the World Cup semi-final Wednesday, there will be one name on everyone's lips: Jude Bellingham, the star midfielder who powered the Three Lions through to the marquee clash against Argentina. raccoongame.org

In packed stadiums in North America and pubs back home, people belt out the Beatles' "Hey Jude" and don t-shirts with slogans like "Bend it like Bellingham" -- a play on the iconic 2000s film "Bend it like Beckham".

But nowhere is the 23-year-old midfielder more feted than his hometown of Stourbridge, a quiet market town in central England, west of Birmingham.

Wheeling his bike past the town's shopping centre, retiree Keith Hall blows a kiss towards a superhero comic-style mural of Bellingham.

"He's a local lad," Hall told AFP, adding Bellingham "keeps in touch with his roots" despite now playing for Real Madrid.

Bellingham launched his football career playing for the Stourbridge Juniors, before joining Birmingham City's youth side and becoming the club's youngest first-team player.

"It doesn't surprise me that he's become an international sensation because he's the coolest man currently living," gushed grocery store worker Sam Holden, 21.

"Harry Kane obviously can kind of save us in our time of need, but Jude Bellingham can just take us to the heights that England absolutely are capable of reaching."

A regional railway company is offering passengers named "Jude" free travel in Stourbridge this week.

"We look forward to inviting Judes from across the region for a free ride on the Stourbridge Shuttle," said Jonny Wiseman from the West Midlands Railway.

The fever has spread beyond the area, known as Black Country, with a railway station in southeast London briefly renamed to "Jude Bellingham" station.

'King Jude'

In a pub in the village of Hagley near Stourbridge, Vienna Letts recalls the incredible atmosphere when Bellingham and England take to the field.

"Hagley is quite a niche, quiet community normally, but it's like we've all come into one space to just support Jude," said Letts.

"No one would have thought that a boy from Stourbridge could be the top scorer and England could be in the semifinals."

After two stunning goals against Norway on Saturday that fired England into the semis, Bellingham is tied with team captain Kane on six goals in the tournament.

A local shop displays a portrait of Bellingham in its window, and during an interview, a man walks past yelling "hail king Jude!"

In Birmingham, a mural has popped up showing the 23-year-old and teammate and fellow local Morgan Rogers eating local delicacy battered chips -- dipped in an orange batter and deep-fried.

"He's like a hero for other local people, local children, knowing (if) you work hard, you can meet your dreams," said Harpreet Basin, a 40-year-old teacher, visiting the mural.

Back in Stourbridge, tanning salon manager Jessica said she'd been hearing chants of "Hey Jude" around town during the World Cup.

"My children, they've now learned what that song is from it being sung at the football matches," said Jessica. "They (go) round the house singing it as well."

Bellingham appeared moved to tears after the England versus Norway game, when even football legend David Beckham joined the huge crowds serenading him with "Hey Jude" on Saturday in the Miami Stadium.

نعى اللواء جبريل الرجوب، رئيس الاتحاد الفلسطيني لكرة القدم، ببالغ الحزن والأسى والرضى بقضاء الله وقدره، المغفور له بإذن الله تعالى، صاحب السمو الأمير الوالد الشيخ حمد بن خليفة آل ثاني، الذي انتقل إلى جوار ربه بعد مسيرة حافلة بالعطاء والإنجازات الجليلة.
وتقدم اللواء الرجوب، باسمه وباسم الأسرة الشبابية والرياضية والأسرة الكروية الفلسطينية كافة، بأحر التعازي والمواساة الصادقة إلى دولة قطر؛ قيادةً وحكومةً وشعباً، وإلى العائلة الحاكمة الكريمة، سائلاً المولى عز وجل أن يتغمد الفقيد الكبير بواسع رحمته ويسكنه فسيح جناته.
وقال : «إن الأمتين العربية والإسلامية فقدت قائداً استثنائياً وزعيماً حكيماً كرس حياته لخدمة وطنه وأمته. لقد كان الأمير الوالد هو المُنظِّر والمؤسس والمهندس الحقيقي للنهضة القطرية الحديثة، والشخصية الفذة التي أرست دعائم الدولة العصرية الشاملة التي نشهد ثمارها اليوم في كافة المحافل السياسية، والاقتصادية، والرياضية». وأضاف : «إن فلسطين وشعبها لن ينسوا يوماً المواقف التاريخية المشرفة للأمير الوالد. فقد كانت القضية الفلسطينية، وحقوق شعبنا العادلة، وحماية مقدساتنا، في مقدمة أولوياته وفي قلب وجدانه الحي، ولم تغب عن أجندته يوماً في كافة المحافل الدولية والروحية».

Doha, Qatar: As the largest sporting event in history reaches its conclusion, the FIFA World Cup 2026 closing ceremony, which will take place ahead of the final match at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, 19 July, will celebrate the 48 teams’ unforgettable journey across the three host countries and 16 Host Cities throughout the tournament.

This star-studded show will feature performances from Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams and IShowSpeed, as well as a special appearance by Tom Cruise, bringing together some of the world’s biggest names in music and entertainment for an unforgettable celebration before kick-off.

Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award winner Jennifer Hudson will deliver a special rendition of the United States national anthem ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final.

One of the world’s most celebrated performers, Hudson’s powerful performance will set the stage for football’s biggest match and the most anticipated moment of the tournament.

Produced in creative partnership with Balich Wonder Studio, the closing ceremony will celebrate the passion, emotion and global spirit that have defined the 23rd FIFA World Cup: a game-changing event featuring 48 teams that has shattered records and inspired a new generation of girls and boys around the world to dream. More artists and special guests will be announced over the coming days.

“Echoing the spirit of the opening ceremonies, which welcomed the world to the greatest stage in Canada, Mexico and the United States, the closing ceremony will bring the FIFA World Cup 2026 full circle through music, culture and football, before we kick off the highly anticipated match that will crown the champions of this groundbreaking tournament,” said Heimo Schirgi, Chief Operating Officer - FIFA World Cup 2026.

Celtic are reportedly preparing an €8 million offer for Egypt winger Haissem Hassan, although no improved bid has yet been confirmed.

Celtic are expected to return with an improved €8 million offer for Real Oviedo winger Haissem Hassan, according to reports.

The proposed bid, worth about £6.8 million, would be roughly double the value of Celtic’s initial approach for the winger.

The previous offer by Celtic was reportedly about £3.4 million for Hassan. Real Oviedo rejected the proposal and have indicated that they expect interested clubs to meet the player’s release clause, worth about £10 million.

Moreover, reports of interest from Saudi Arabia and Turkey have emerged, with clubs from both countries approaching Oviedo for the 24-year-old.

Marseille has also been linked with Hassan. However, no formal offers from any of the interested clubs have been confirmed yet.

Hassan’s value increased following Egypt’s run to the World Cup round of 16. He started against Argentina and assisted Mostafa Zico’s goal during Egypt’s 3-2 defeat.

The France-born winger joined Oviedo from Villarreal in 2024 and is under contract until 2027. Villarreal retain a share of any future transfer fee.

The post Celtic Expected to Double Bid for Haissem Hassan appeared first on KingFut.