Jude Bellingham cemented his position as one of the stars of the 2026 World Cup as England secured their best finish in the tournament since 1966. The Real Madrid midfielder scored England’s final goal in a thrilling 6-4 third-place play-off victory over France, taking his tournament tally to seven. After repeatedly coming to his country’s rescue during the competition, the 23-year-old was widely hailed as one of the World Cup's standout performers. Yet behind England's talisman is a remarkably close-knit family who have guided his career, kept his feet firmly on the ground and supported him from the stands throughout the tournament.
© Getty ImagesMark Bellingham, father
Football ability clearly runs in the family. Jude’s father Mark was a prolific non-league striker who reportedly scored more than 700 goals while also working as a sergeant with West Midlands Police. Mark helped establish Stourbridge Juniors, Jude’s first club, and later became closely involved in managing his sons’ careers. He reportedly negotiated Jude’s move from Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid in 2023 before working with Dortmund again when Jobe joined the German club two years later.
© PA Images via Getty ImagesDenise Bellingham, mother
Jude has described his mother Denise as his "queen", crediting her with keeping him calm through the highs and lows of his career. A former HR manager, Denise moved to Germany when Jude joined Borussia Dortmund at just 17 and later helped him settle into life in Madrid. "My mum's been telling me all week to watch my language, watch my tackles, watch my face, watch my emotions," the 23-year-old player said to the media after the Norway game. "So yeah, I think she drilled it into me all week about being careful of that yellow card."
© Getty ImagesJobe Bellingham, brother
20-year-old Jobe is forging an impressive football career of his own. He progressed through Birmingham City’s academy before spending two seasons with Sunderland and signing for Borussia Dortmund in 2025. Despite the inevitable comparisons, Jobe has been determined to establish his own identity, even wearing his first name rather than Bellingham on the back of his shirt.
© PA Images via Getty ImagesAshlyn Castro, girlfriend
Jude’s girlfriend Ashlyn Castro was among those supporting the midfielder from the stands throughout England’s World Cup campaign. The California-born model and content creator has been linked to Jude since early 2025. The couple were photographed together at the Madrid Open in April and Ashlyn later joined his family at several England matches in North America. Although they have largely kept their relationship private, Ashlyn was seen embracing Jude following England’s heartbreaking semi-final defeat to Argentina.
© AFP via Getty ImagesWilliam Bellingham, grandfather
Jude has also spoken movingly about his late grandfather William, who died shortly before he made his senior England debut in 2020. "He was so patriotic. He was an Englishman through and through," Jude said after England’s opening World Cup victory over Croatia. William served in the Army in Berlin, taught French and appeared on British TV show Mastermind in 1987.
