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18 July 2026

The Viral Jude Bellingham Lookalike Competition: A Hit or Miss?

The Jude Bellingham lookalike contest crowned Marcus Legemah as the winner, but the internet is divided on the resemblance to the England star

The Viral Jude Bellingham Lookalike Competition: A Hit or Miss?

The Jude Bellingham lookalike competition has taken the internet by storm, with Marcus Legemah emerging as the winner. However, the event has sparked a heated debate online about the participants’ resemblance to the England star. The competition, held at Boxpark in Shoreditch, saw a variety of lookalikes showcasing their skills and celebrating like Bellingham.

The event was a nod to the viral lookalike competitions of two years ago, notably one honoring Timothée Chalamet. Bellingham, 23, was the latest celebrity to be celebrated with such an event. The competition took place ahead of the World Cup semi-final, adding to the excitement and anticipation surrounding the tournament.

The Winner and the Celebration

Marcus Legemah was crowned the winner of the Jude Bellingham lookalike competition. He received a vinyl of The Beatles hits and a £1,966 Deliveroo voucher, a nod to England’s last World Cup victory. The crowd celebrated by singing Hey Jude Bellingham’s World Cup calling card.

Legemah shook hands with a convincing Erling Haaland doppelganger in acceptance, adding to the festive atmosphere. The event was held under the sun, with signs advertising free drinks and prizes, making it a popular spot for World Cup fans.

The Online Debate

When footage of the lookalike competition was shared online, the reception was mixed. Many viewers commented that the participants looked nothing like Bellingham. Underneath Metro’s post on Instagram, comments ranged from ‘I am seeing so many faces that KNOW they do not belong there’ to ‘You know you don’t look ANYTHING like him bro this cracked me up!’

Others labeled the attendees ‘Temu Judes,’ suggesting that having a similar hairstyle to Bellingham was enough for some to participate. The debate highlights the subjective nature of lookalike competitions and the high expectations set by fans.

The World Cup Context

The competition took place ahead of England’s World Cup semi-final against Argentina. The eyes of the footballing world were on Atlanta as Lionel Messi and co. secured a spot in the Spain final, beating England 2-1. The event added to the excitement and anticipation surrounding the tournament, with fans eager to see their favorite players in action.

The Jude Bellingham lookalike competition has sparked a debate about resemblance and celebrity culture. While some viewers were impressed by the participants’ efforts, others were quick to point out the lack of resemblance to the England star. The event highlights the viral nature of lookalike competitions and their ability to captivate audiences worldwide.

World Cup 2026

Upcoming matches

Tomorrow
Spain
15:00EDTFinal
Argentina

Results

Today
France
46FT · Third place
England
Wed 15 Jul
England
12FT · Semi-finals
Argentina
Updated 19:30 EDT
Author

Henry Anderson

Henry Anderson of Edinburgh, sharp-corporate in demeanour, famously argued to run a council budget deep-dive after a packed Holyrood briefing, choosing public-accountability over easy headlines. Prefers evidence-led interrogation of institutions and collects annotated maps of the Lothians as a private quirk.