Top News

Jude Bellingham has revealed that he dreams of stepping into the shoes of James Bond once his football career comes to an end. The England midfielder, who has been in outstanding form at the 2026 World Cup, confessed to being a lifelong admirer of the legendary spy series and even joked that he could one day take on the famous role himself.

Bellingham reflects on life after football

Bellingham has emerged as one of England’s brightest stars in the 2026 World Cup. The midfielder found the back of the net in the Three Lions’ 4-2 opening win against Croatia and went on to earn back-to-back Man of the Match awards in the victories over Ghana and Panama, securing England’s place in the knockout rounds. As England prepare to take on DR Congo in the round of 32, the 23-year-old admitted he has already started thinking about what life might look like after football.

Aiming for the 007 legacy

Appearing on Fox’s World Cup After Hours, Bellingham spoke candidly about his interest in acting, saying that the role of James Bond would be his dream job. When asked about his goals beyond the pitch, he told James Corden that acting is the profession that excites him most.

“I’d love to be in a movie,” Bellingham said. “People often ask me what I’d like to do outside football – I don’t usually think too much about it, but whenever I do, I always come back to the idea that I’d love to be in a film.”

He continued, “I’d love to be James Bond. I’ve seen all of them – the ones with Sean Connery, Roger Moore, all of them. I love James Bond. Honestly, I’d love to even appear in the background of a Bond film. Maybe one day as Bond himself, but you’ve got to crawl before you can walk. They haven’t chosen a new Bond yet, have they?”

Bellingham even delivered the iconic line, “The name’s Bond, James Bond,” before laughing and adding, “I think I’ve got a shot!”

Bond casting could be a challenge

During his appearance, Bellingham shared a few light-hearted acting moments with Corden, including a playful recreation of the iconic courtroom scene from A Few Good Men. His ease in front of the camera further fuelled the fun conversation about his potential in acting. However, former Bond casting director Debbie McWilliams later remarked that Bellingham’s fame might actually be a disadvantage in securing the role.

“It’s absolutely vital that Bond remains an enigma. The less we know about the actor personally, the better – that’s the essence of a spy,” McWilliams told The Independent.

World Cup glory remains the top priority

For now, any Hollywood ambitions will have to be put on hold. Bellingham’s immediate focus remains firmly on leading England through their World Cup campaign, with the Three Lions set to face DR Congo in the knockout rounds as they continue their quest for the trophy.