STOURBRIDGE, United Kingdom, July 15, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - As England gears up 
for the World Cup semi-final Wednesday, there will be one name on everyone's 
lips: Jude Bellingham, the star midfielder who powered the Three Lions 
through to the marquee clash against Argentina.

In packed stadiums in North America and pubs back home, people belt out the 
Beatles' "Hey Jude" and don t-shirts with slogans like "Bend it like 
Bellingham" -- a play on the iconic 2000s film "Bend it like Beckham".

But nowhere is the 23-year-old midfielder more feted than his hometown of 
Stourbridge, a quiet market town in central England, west of Birmingham.

Wheeling his bike past the town's shopping centre, retiree Keith Hall blows a 
kiss towards a superhero comic-style mural of Bellingham.

"He's a local lad," Hall told AFP, adding Bellingham "keeps in touch with his 
roots" despite now playing for Real Madrid.

Bellingham launched his football career playing for the Stourbridge Juniors, 
before joining Birmingham City's youth side and becoming the club's youngest 
first-team player.

"It doesn't surprise me that he's become an international sensation because 
he's the coolest man currently living," gushed grocery store worker Sam 
Holden, 21.

"Harry Kane obviously can kind of save us in our time of need, but Jude 
Bellingham can just take us to the heights that England absolutely are 
capable of reaching."

A regional railway company is offering passengers named "Jude" free travel in 
Stourbridge this week.

"We look forward to inviting Judes from across the region for a free ride on 
the Stourbridge Shuttle," said Jonny Wiseman from the West Midlands Railway.

The fever has spread beyond the area, known as Black Country, with a railway 
station in southeast London briefly renamed to "Jude Bellingham" station.

- 'King Jude' -

In a pub in the village of Hagley near Stourbridge, Vienna Letts pulls pints 
and recalls the incredible atmosphere when Bellingham and England take to the 
field.

"Hagley is quite a niche, quiet community normally, but it's like we've all 
come into one space to just support Jude," said Letts.

"No one would have thought that a boy from Stourbridge could be the top 
scorer and England could be in the semifinals."

After two stunning goals against Norway on Saturday that fired England into 
the semis, Bellingham is tied with team captain Kane on six goals in the 
tournament.

A local shop displays a portrait of Bellingham in its window, and during an 
interview, a man walks past yelling "hail king Jude!"

In Birmingham, a mural has popped up showing the 23-year-old and teammate and 
fellow local Morgan Rogers eating local delicacy battered chips -- dipped in 
an orange batter and deep-fried.

"He's like a hero for other local people, local children, knowing (if) you 
work hard, you can meet your dreams," said Harpreet Bains, a 40-year-old 
teacher, visiting the mural.

Back in Stourbridge, tanning salon manager Jessica said she'd been hearing 
chants of "Hey Jude" around town during the World Cup.

"My children, they've now learned what that song is from it being sung at the 
football matches," said Jessica. "They (go) round the house singing it as 
well."

Bellingham appeared moved to tears after the England versus Norway game, when 
even football legend David Beckham joined the huge crowds serenading him with 
"Hey Jude" on Saturday in the Miami Stadium.