ENGLAND legend Chris Waddle is backing Morgan Rogers to be the World Cup No 10 – ahead of Jude Bellingham.

The Three Lions’ Group L campaign gets under way on Wednesday evening against Croatia in Dallas.

There has been plenty of conjecture regarding who will be handed the creative brief behind Harry Kane.

Waddle, capped 62 times by England between 1985 and 1991, feels that ex-Middlesbrough player Rogers should get the nod.

England's Morgan Rogers with substitute Jude Bellingham during the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifying, Group K match at Wembley Stadium, London. Picture: PA

placeholder image — England's Morgan Rogers with substitute Jude Bellingham during the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifying, Group K match at Wembley Stadium, London. Picture: PA

Waddle told The Yorkshire Post: “I think Rogers is the No 10 pick for me.

“I think with Bellingham, you could play him as a (conventional) midfield player.

“He's got the energy, he's got the legs. I don't think I'd class him as the ‘10’, I'd play him as a midfield player if I was going to play him.

“There's too many No 10s, I think you had to leave a couple at home.

England and Sheffield Wednesday legend Chris Waddle.

“Phil Foden did not perform to what we used to see with him last season. (Eberechi) Eze, who I like, has been in and out of the team.”

Sheffield Wednesday icon Waddle believes that England have earned the right to be bracketed as one of the three favourites for the competition alongside France and Spain.

Among the other fancied teams, Waddle, who represented England at the World Cups of 1986 and 1990, does not particularly rate five-time winners Brazil.

Waddle, a respected radio pundit on England, added: “Obviously, there’s the time difference, the heat and a lot of different things.

“There's a lot of dangerous countries and I would say France and Spain are probably the most powerful squads, apart from England.

“If you can beat France, Spain and England, you've got a fair chance of winning it.

“I don't rate Brazil as highly as people talk about them. We always talk about Brazil as having such unbelievable football teams, but when you look at the squad, for me it's pretty average. I don't think there's anyone really there that sticks out.

“With Argentina, if (Lionel) Messi plays or gives half an hour in a game or whatever, they'll have a chance because they're always organised and strong. Messi adds that little bit of spark to them, if he's playing. If he's not, I don't fancy Argentina.

“Dark horses for me to watch out for – to do well, I'm not saying win it – are Norway, Japan and teams like Colombia and Uruguay."

Chris Waddle was talking on behalf of 10bet, the home of sports betting