Bellingham speaks fluent Spanish at World Cup press conference after FIFA reverses language ban

Jude Bellingham put FIFA’s newly reversed language policy to immediate use, answering questions in fluent Spanish after England’s 0-0 draw with Ghana at the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday — a freedom that did not exist when the tournament kicked off on June 11.

Early in the competition, players and coaches were actively discouraged from speaking Spanish at certain official media appearances, a rule that sparked widespread outrage. The controversy came to a head when Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, born in Madrid, was mid-sentence responding to a Mexican journalist in Spanish when a FIFA official cut the reporter off and instructed them to switch to English. The moment went viral, with Hakimi drily noting he could, in fact, speak Spanish. The backlash was amplified by the fact that Mexico is one of the tournament’s co-hosts.

FIFA initially denied there was a blanket ban, citing a shortage of translation services, but reversed course last week. Journalists may now pose questions in Spanish at any official World Cup press conference, and players are free to respond in the language regardless of which nations are involved in a given match.

Bellingham, who became fluent in Spanish after taking language lessons following his 2023 transfer to Real Madrid, was among the first England players to take advantage. Speaking in the mixed zone after the Ghana stalemate, he told a Spanish-language journalist: “Everything’s fine. We’re here, ready to compete. Today was a bit tricky, but it’s no big deal. I’m confident.”

On being substituted late in the game, the England talisman added: “They took me off just before the end today, but it’s ok. I trust the coaching staff and the manager. I know the substitutes can do a wonderful job.”

In a lighter exchange, Bellingham briefly misunderstood a question about Spain — initially thinking the journalist was asking about the country rather than the Spanish squad — before laughing off the mix-up: “Spain? Very much. I love it. Oh, you mean the squad? They’re very good as well, but the country’s even better. I love it.”

England’s draw with Ghana leaves them with work to do in the group stage, though Bellingham’s composed post-match demeanour suggested the camp remains confident heading into their next fixture.