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Paul Gascoigne has offered his thoughts on which England player has truly shone in North America, explaining why one young star has impressed him the most.

Gascoigne, a name synonymous with England’s World Cup history, knows better than most what it takes to perform on the biggest stage. His unforgettable displays at Italia 90, including a commanding performance against the European champions the Netherlands and his tearful reaction after the semi-final, remain among football’s most iconic moments.

Although Gascoigne never appeared at another World Cup—England missed qualification in 1994 and he was excluded from Glenn Hoddle’s France 98 squad—he remains a national legend. He currently ranks number two on FourFourTwo’s list of the greatest English midfielders of all time.

The former Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and Lazio midfielder was also instrumental in guiding England to the Euro 96 semi-finals on home soil, adding another memorable chapter to his international career.

Until the 2018 campaign, those two tournaments represented England’s closest attempts at ending their long wait for silverware since the 1960s. Now, the Three Lions are just three victories away from potentially lifting the World Cup 2026 trophy, beginning with their quarter-final clash against Norway on Saturday.

Among Thomas Tuchel’s standout performers in North America has been Jude Bellingham. The Real Madrid star has notched four goals and an assist so far, including a superb brace during England’s 3-2 Round of 16 victory over Mexico at Mexico City Stadium on July 5, 2026.

While promoting his upcoming event, Sports Stars Stories: An Evening with Paul Gascoigne—a two-hour show at the Watford Palace Theatre on Saturday, September 26—the 59-year-old football icon praised Bellingham as a worthy successor in England’s midfield. The show will see Gascoigne reflect on defining moments from his career and his life in the public eye.

Speaking about the young midfielder, Gascoigne said, “He’s definitely caught my eye at the World Cup. Does he get my seal of approval? I think he absolutely does, yeah.”

He continued, “To do what he does, you’ve got to have good players around you; you can’t do it all on your own, and he’s got that. I was fortunate to have teammates like Bryan Robson who gave me the freedom to express myself.”

Gascoigne added, “Jude’s got my approval. I think he’s a good player.”

Bellingham’s rapid double in that thrilling 3-2 win over Mexico brought his tally for England to 10 goals—the same number Gascoigne scored during his international career. At just 23 years old, Bellingham is also close to surpassing Gascoigne’s total number of caps, currently sitting on 53, just four behind his predecessor ahead of the Norway encounter.

While Gascoigne’s place in English football history is defined by more than just numbers, Bellingham’s continued brilliance for the Three Lions could soon see him spoken of with the same admiration and respect as the iconic midfielder himself.

Sports Stars Stories: An Evening with Paul Gascoigne will be held on Saturday, 26 September at the Watford Palace Theatre. Tickets start from £35 and are now available for purchase.