The midfielder was one of the kids in Birmingham City's academy fighting over the No10 shirt when youth coach Mike Dodds had an ingenious solution.
"We think you can be a 22," he told a young Bellingham.
Dodds saw Bellingham as a complete midfielder, capable of playing No4, No8 and No10. Four plus eight plus 10 add up to make 22 - and give Bellingham a number he has made his own.
Bellingham is expected to start Monday's Group B opener against Iran. Just 19, he has the potential to announce himself on the biggest stage like Paul Gascoigne did at Italia 90.
He is set to become the first English teenager selected to start the opening match of a World Cup since Raheem Sterling in 2014.
Like Sterling, who is likely to win his 80th cap against Iran, Bellingham plans to stick around for some time.
The Borussia Dortmund star started England's last two matches, against Italy and Germany in September, and forced his way into the team to play alongside Declan Rice.
The pair will operate as a 'double pivot', helping to build attacks while also breaking up opposition attacks.
It is a more withdrawn role than Bellingham has for Dortmund, but Rice will give him licence to run with and without the ball to get involved in attacks.
Esta historia es de la edición November 16, 2022 de Evening Standard.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición November 16, 2022 de Evening Standard.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Why are England wasting time waiting for Tuchel?
Winning the World Cup is the aim, so the new boss should start now
He's been shot, and punched by Mike Tyson, but British boxing's great survivor is back on top and aiming to rule the world
This is where the magic happens,\" reads a big neon sign scrawled across the entrance to the offices of arguably the most powerful man in British boxing today.
How Sketch went from 'obscene' to era-defining
After arocky start, the glamorous and infamous restaurant is now an institution
Money is worth less than time'
He's quit Fendi, but what will Kim Jones do next?
London's Roman Amphitheatre
Guildhall Yard, EC2V
Liberals didn't notice they'd lost relevance in the all-consuming digital sphere
There are many reasons why Donald Trump might have won the election last week.
Do we have to die?
One neuroscientist thinks the answer is no
How to have a magical Christmas in Edinburgh
From cosy cobblestone streets to abundant Yuletide goings-on, few cities rival the Scottish capital in creating Christmas whimsy.
London's best festive restaurants
The social season is upon us once more. These are the city’s most coveted Christmas venues, which need to be booked soon so as to not miss out on the tinsel and tipples.
Rag'n'Bone Man
I struggle with being recognised... I'll never really feel comfortable with it'
