Tuchel Leaves Out Foden, Palmer and Alexander-Arnold from England World Cup Squad

Posted : 22 May 2026

England manager Thomas Tuchel has revealed his 26-man squad for this summer’s World Cup, with several high-profile names surprisingly left out. Among the notable omissions are Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Trent Alexander-Arnold, while experienced defender Harry Maguire admitted he was “shocked and gutted” after missing out on selection.

Maguire, who has earned 67 caps for England, reacted emotionally on social media after learning he would not travel to the tournament. The 33-year-old said he believed he could still make a major contribution for his country following what he considered a strong season at club level. His mother, Zoe Maguire, also publicly criticised the decision, describing the omission as “disgusting.”

Tuchel’s selections suggest he has prioritised current form and squad balance over reputation. Phil Foden endured an inconsistent season with Manchester City, while Cole Palmer struggled with injuries during a disappointing campaign for Chelsea. Their absence opens the door for players who impressed more consistently throughout the season.

Among those included are Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney. Watkins earned his place after helping Aston Villa secure the Europa League title, while Toney’s remarkable scoring record for Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia convinced Tuchel to hand him a recall. Toney has scored 32 goals in 32 league matches this season.

The squad also features several surprise inclusions. Djed Spence has been selected despite recently suffering a broken jaw, while John Stones keeps his place despite an injury-hit season. Arsenal trio Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Eberechi Eze were all included after strong performances during the campaign.

Several other players narrowly missed out, including Morgan Gibbs-White, who was one of the highest-scoring English players in the Premier League this season. Luke Shaw, Fikayo Tomori and Levi Colwill were also omitted despite being considered contenders for selection.

Former England defender Phil Jagielka backed Tuchel’s decisions, suggesting the manager has chosen players based on form and team chemistry rather than reputation alone. He also highlighted Toney’s value as a penalty specialist, particularly in a tournament environment where shootouts can be decisive.

England will begin preparations for the World Cup with friendly matches against New Zealand national football team and Costa Rica national football team before opening their campaign against Croatia national football team on 17 June. Further group-stage matches against Ghana national football team and Panama national football team will follow as Tuchel aims to guide England deep into the tournament hosted across the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Tuchel Leaves Out Foden, Palmer and Alexander-Arnold from England World Cup Squad

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