<p>The 22-year-old featured in just ‌four of England's qualifying matches, while Aston Villa's Morgan ‌Rogers appeared in all eight, underlining the selection dilemma facing ‌Tuchel in the number 10 role.</p><p>Asked if Bellingham had ‌a fight to make the starting lineup, Tuchel was unequivocal.</p><p><strong>"Yes, he has,"</strong> Tuchel told reporters. <strong>"He knows he is one of the ‌starters, but we have 14 or 15 ⁠potential starters.</strong></p><p>"These roles can ‌always change, but at the moment I think there are 14 ​or 15 proper starters and Jude is one of them," he added.</p><p>England are preparing for their ​World Cup campaign in Florida, where they opened their warm-up schedule with a 1-0 victory over New Zealand in ⁠Tampa on Saturday. ​Harry Kane scored the only goal.</p><p>Bellingham captained the side for the first time during the second half of that game, with Tuchel rotating his lineup in the hot and ‌humid conditions.</p><p>Despite the competition for places, Tuchel said he had been encouraged by Bellingham's recent form following injury.</p><p><strong>"He looks good in training,"</strong> the German said. <strong>"I think he is at the moment in a sweet spot because he has had his break and has the hunger to be back on the pitch."</strong></p><p>Tuchel has emphasised squad depth and flexibility ahead of the tournament, indicating that several players are ‌capable of starting while others may be used to ​impact matches from the bench.</p><p>Tuchel would not confirm whether ‌Bellingham is part of his leadership group, but said on Sunday that midfielder Declan Rice will serve as England's vice-captain during the World Cup.</p><p>England face Costa Rica in a friendly on Wednesday before kicking off ⁠their World Cup campaign ⁠against Croatia on June ‌17 in Dallas.</p>