Morgan Rogers has expressed his disappointment at not starting in England’s World Cup opening match against Croatia but remains committed to contributing to the team in any capacity. The Aston Villa midfielder was in contention for a starting role in the No. 10 position but was ultimately named on the bench in favor of Jude Bellingham, the Real Madrid midfielder and close friend of Rogers.

England’s head coach, Thomas Tuchel, acknowledged the difficulty of the decision given Rogers’ deserving performances. Speaking after England's 4-2 victory over Croatia in Dallas, Tuchel described it as a “tough decision” that reflected the high level of competition for places in the squad. Bellingham justified his selection by scoring one of the goals, while substitute Marcus Rashford also made an impact by scoring England’s fourth goal.

Rogers confirmed he was informed of his role shortly before kickoff and admitted to feeling disappointed, a sentiment shared by players who are eager to start every match. However, he recognized Bellingham’s status as one of the top players globally and accepted that for England to progress far in the tournament, Bellingham would need to lead from the front.

Though unlikely to appear alongside Bellingham in the starting lineup, Rogers emphasized his readiness to make an impact when called upon. “I have to understand my role. If I’m on the bench and the manager asks me to do a role and come on and impact the game, then that’s what I want to do,” he said. Rogers also conveyed pride in being part of the squad and valued the opportunity to contribute, whether as a starter or substitute.

The competition for places highlights the depth of England’s midfield options as they look to build momentum in the tournament. Rogers, despite his current role, remains focused on supporting the team’s objectives and seizing opportunities to influence matches from the bench.