Morgan Rogers: I’m Happy to Be Part of England Squad

England midfielder Morgan Rogers says he is delighted to be part of the squad preparing to begin its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign on Wednesday, June 17.

England will open their tournament against Croatia, a team that has enjoyed impressive success in recent World Cups, finishing as runners-up in 2018 and securing third place in 2022. The match is expected to be a tough test for the Three Lions as they seek a strong start to their World Cup journey.

For Rogers, the tournament marks a significant milestone in his career as it is the first major international competition he has participated in with England. The Aston Villa midfielder expressed his excitement about being part of the squad and praised the unity within the team.

Speaking on England’s Lions Den Show, Rogers said the players have built a welcoming environment where everyone feels valued regardless of their age, club, or background. He noted that the atmosphere within the camp makes it easy for players to settle in and contribute to the team.

“We are really aligned and it is really easy and seamless for anyone to fit in the group. Wherever you are from, wherever you play, ages; it doesn’t matter in this group. It is a joy to be here” he said.

After their opening match against Croatia, England will continue their Group campaign against Ghana and Panama as they aim to secure qualification to the knockout stages.

Rogers heads into the tournament in excellent form following an impressive season with Aston Villa. He played a key role in helping the club win the Europa League and secure a fourth-place finish in the league standings.

Meanwhile, fellow midfielder Jude Bellingham has highlighted the importance of creating a positive atmosphere within the squad as England chase World Cup glory this summer.

The tournament officially began on Thursday in North America, with co-hosts Mexico defeating South Africa 2-0. Mexico is hosting the competition alongside the United States and Canada.

England’s first match will take place next Wednesday in Arlington, Texas, where they will face Croatia.

Bellingham, who was part of the England team that reached the final of Euro 2024 before losing to Spain, reflected on lessons learned from that tournament. Although England reached the final, the team faced criticism over its performances, and Bellingham previously revealed that he felt unfairly blamed by some observers for the team’s failure to lift the trophy.

Looking back on the European Championship, the midfielder admitted the squad lacked the level of connection needed to perform at its best. However, he believes the current team environment is much stronger and more united.

“At the Euros we got some things a little bit wrong off the pitch,” he said on England’s Lions’ Den show.

“I don’t feel like the group connected as well as it could have for a number of reasons. Expectation was part of it, we had done well in 2018 and done well in Qatar [for the 2022 World Cup] and when it came to that tournament we were seen as one of two or three teams that should win it.

“We were not playing particularly well so even when we were winning you didn’t get the feeling you were as happy as you should be.

“There has to be that element of relentless and wanting to win but it is the nature of football that wins go out of the system quickly and we should hold on to that moment a little more.

“I think this time round having those experiences… and knowing, for example, that the guy who scores the winning goal in the World Cup final isn’t always the one you’d bet your house on so you’ve always got to be ready, everyone’s got to feel loved and feel a huge part of the team. The other thing is just to enjoy it.”

Bellingham believes the experiences gained from previous tournaments have helped England develop a stronger team spirit ahead of the World Cup.