- Foden, Palmer and Maguire Miss Out as Tuchel Makes Ruthless England World Cup Calls
Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Harry Maguire are set to miss out on England’s 2026 FIFA World Cup squad after head coach Thomas Tuchel made a series of bold selection calls ahead of Friday’s official announcement.
British media reports on Thursday said the Manchester City playmaker, the Chelsea attacker and the Manchester United defender had all been omitted from Tuchel’s final squad for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Reuters also reported that Maguire had confirmed his exclusion in an emotional social media post.
“I was confident I could have played a major part this summer for my country after the season I’ve had,” Maguire 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,” he added.
Maguire’s omission marks one of the most significant breaks from England’s recent tournament past. The 33-year-old defender has been a regular figure in major competitions over the last decade and had hoped to force his way back into the setup after helping Manchester United finish third in the Premier League and qualify for the UEFA Champions League.
Foden’s absence is equally striking, though it had appeared increasingly possible after a difficult club season in which he struggled for consistent game time at Manchester City. Reuters reported that Foden and Palmer both featured in England’s March friendlies but failed to convince Tuchel.
Palmer’s exclusion will also surprise many England supporters. The Chelsea forward was one of the standout attacking figures in the previous cycle and played a key role during England’s run to the Euro 2024 final. But injuries and inconsistent form appear to have weakened his case at a time when competition for attacking places has intensified.
Tuchel’s decision suggests a manager prepared to prioritise current form, tactical fit and physical readiness over reputation. It also signals a clear break from the more familiar selection core that carried England through recent major tournaments under previous regimes.
While several established names have been left behind, Ivan Toney has earned a recall after an outstanding season with Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia, where he reportedly scored 32 goals in 32 league appearances. He is expected to provide attacking support for captain Harry Kane alongside Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins.
Kobbie Mainoo is also expected to be included after re-establishing himself at Manchester United and impressing Tuchel with his composure in midfield. The young midfielder’s selection would complete a remarkable turnaround after a season that began with uncertainty over his role at club level.
Other players expected to make the squad include Tino Livramento, Noni Madueke and Morgan Rogers, whose performances for Aston Villa reportedly made him one of Tuchel’s easier selections.
Among the other notable absentees are Luke Shaw, Levi Colwill, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Morgan Gibbs-White, underlining the depth of competition and the severity of Tuchel’s selection process. The Guardian reported that Tuchel has opted for a reshaped defensive group including Marc Guéhi, Dan Burn, Ezri Konsa, John Stones and Jarell Quansah.
England will open their World Cup campaign against Croatia on June 17, before facing Ghana and Panama in Group L. The squad is expected to travel to the United States on June 1 and play warm-up matches against New Zealand and Costa Rica in Florida before the tournament begins.
