Jude and Jobe Bellingham could make England history together

Jobe Bellingham could win his first England cap alongside his older brother Jude, in the Nations League game against Croatia at Wembley. If he does, they would be the first brothers to play for England in 19 years.

Jude is 23 and plays for Real Madrid after a spell at Borussia Dortmund. Jobe is 21 and plays at Dortmund after two seasons at Sunderland. Both midfielders were born in Stourbridge and grew up supporting Birmingham City.

Jude joined Birmingham at the age of eight. He became the club's youngest-ever player when he made his debut in 2019, aged 16 years and 38 days. Jobe followed in January 2022, aged 16 years and 107 days, making him the club's second-youngest player. Between them, the brothers have played 70 league and cup games for the club.

They have never played in the same senior match. Jude had left Birmingham before Jobe broke into the first team in 2022. Jude has made 60 appearances for England, while Jobe is still waiting for his first cap.

Jude's move away from Birmingham brought in serious money. He joined Dortmund for an initial fee of £20m. When he moved on to Real Madrid in 2023, BBC Sport reported that Birmingham received a sell-on fee of at least £10m.

Birmingham are now top of the Championship, the second tier of English football, after 15 games. It is 15 years since they last played in the Premier League. The club also plans a new stadium with a capacity of 62,000, due to be ready in time for the 2030-31 season.

For a club that has not played in the top flight for 15 years, the Bellingham brothers are a strong reminder of what its youth system can produce. A first England appearance for Jobe would add another chapter to that story.