Phil Foden and Cole Palmer, two of English football’s most celebrated attacking talents over the past two seasons, have been left out of Thomas Tuchel’s 26-man squad for the World Cup this summer, in decisions that have stunned observers and reshaped the national team’s attacking options. The Manchester City and Chelsea forwards, both of whom have endured underwhelming campaigns by their own high standards, will watch the tournament from home despite boasting remarkable recent achievements — Foden was named Premier League Player of the Season and FWA Footballer of the Year for 2023/24, while Palmer earned Premier League Young Player of the Season and helped Chelsea win the UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup.
Tuchel, who succeeded Gareth Southgate on October 16, 2024, on an 18-month contract with a mandate to end England’s trophy drought, has made clear his willingness to make ruthless calls. Kobbie Mainoo will be included in the squad, the Manchester United midfielder having established himself with more than ten caps since his senior debut in March 2024. But there is no place for Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, Newcastle left-back Lewis Hall, or Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White, who has scored seven goals in his past nine club appearances despite his excellent form. Luke Shaw, Maguire’s club colleague at Manchester United who last played for England in 2024 and has enjoyed an impressive, injury-free season, is also expected to miss out.
Defensive overhaul leaves Maguire on the outside
The most significant shock among the omissions, however, is Harry Maguire. The 33-year-old has excelled for Manchester United since Michael Carrick took over as head coach in mid-January, was called up by Tuchel for the March international programme, started against Uruguay and came on as a late substitute against Japan. Yet Tuchel has decided to prioritise other defenders with what he describes as a “different profile”.
Maguire took to social media to express his dismay. “I was confident I could have played a major part this summer for my country after the season I’ve had,” he wrote. “I’ve been left shocked and gutted by the decision. I’ve loved nothing more than putting that shirt on and representing my country over the years. I wish the players all the best this summer.”
Tuchel’s own words after the Uruguay friendly shed light on the thinking. “I got exactly what I thought: solid central defender play,” the manager said. “Very good on the ball, very calm, strong in the air and [as a] weapon for set pieces. I haven’t changed my mind but I see other players I like to start for us, I see other players ahead with a different profile. I see Ezri Konsa ahead, I see Marc Guéhi ahead. It’s no secret. I see Trevoh Chalobah on the level of mobility slightly ahead of him. Also John Stones, but he had injuries.”
The defensive selections bear out that assessment. Ezri Konsa, who made his England debut in March 2024 and was part of the Euro 2024 squad, is expected to be named, as are Marc Guéhi and John Stones — despite Stones having made only four appearances for Manchester City since 2 December, an injury-hit 2024/25 season that saw him play just 20 times. Trevoh Chalobah, Jarell Quansah and Dan Burn are all in the frame. Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah, Tuchel admitted in November, had moved ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold in the pecking order. Levi Colwill, the Chelsea centre-back who underwent anterior cruciate ligament surgery in August and has made only three appearances since returning in May, has missed out. Milan’s Fikayo Tomori, who has 52 clean sheets in 160 Serie A appearances for the club, has also not been selected.
Striker options take shape
Up front, Tuchel may spring a surprise by taking three strikers. Ivan Toney is in his thoughts for a recall, and Ollie Watkins — Aston Villa’s all-time top Premier League scorer and the 2023/24 Premier League Playmaker of the Season with 13 assists — is poised to be picked as back-up to Harry Kane. Morgan Gibbs-White, whose seven goals in nine recent appearances included contributions that had him on the radar, will not be part of that trio.
Myles Lewis-Skelly, the Arsenal left-back who can also play in midfield, is in the frame for a recall after returning to prominence at the Emirates. The 26-man squad will be named at Wembley on Friday morning, and Tuchel’s selections have already made clear that past reputations carry limited weight in his single-minded pursuit of winning the World Cup.
