England's World Cup squad touched down at Birmingham Airport on Sunday, July 19, greeted by applauding fans who lined the streets to welcome the team home. The players arrived following their flight from the USA after securing a third-place finish at the FIFA World Cup 2026 – the nation's best men's World Cup performance since lifting the trophy in 1966.
Third-Place Triumph in Miami
Thomas Tuchel's side narrowly missed reaching the final, suffering a heartbreaking 2-1 semi-final collapse against Argentina after being just minutes away from victory. However, the team bounced back impressively in Saturday's third-place play-off, defeating their opponents 6-4 in a bonkers match in Miami. Jude Bellingham came off the bench to brilliantly wrap up the win, scoring the seventh goal of the tournament for him.
Bellingham's Message to Fans
Jude Bellingham, a key figure for the team, took to social media to express his feelings about the campaign. "This group deserved to finish on this high note," he posted on Instagram. "Obviously not what we came for but the highest finish since '66 is something to build on. Thank you again England fans, this summer has been unforgettable for so many reasons. It's been a pleasure!" Earlier, he had shared that he was as frustrated as anyone to fall short of World Cup glory but believes England's best performance at the tournament since 1966 can provide the platform for success.
Future Prospects
The seven-goal midfielder hopes this achievement can boost England's chances of success, starting with the home Euros in two years' time. The team's arrival at Birmingham Airport marked a celebratory homecoming, with fans waiting eagerly to catch a glimpse of the players. Images from the event show players like Jordan Henderson, Elliot Anderson, Ezri Konsa, and Jordan Pickford disembarking the plane, greeted by applause and cheers.
