Foden and Palmer Likely to Miss England’s 2026 World Cup Squad

Phil Foden and Cole Palmer are expected to be omitted when Thomas Tuchel announces his 26‑man England squad on Friday for the summer World Cup, BBC Sport reports.

Both players are attacking midfielders who can also operate as forwards, but their club seasons have been uneven.

Foden has earned 49 caps for England but started only 22 Premier League matches for Manchester City this season, scoring seven goals and delivering five assists in 32 top‑flight appearances.

Palmer has netted nine goals in 25 Premier League games during an injury‑plagued campaign for Chelsea, who finished eighth in the league after a disappointing season.

Manchester United defender Harry Maguire will also be excluded, with the 33‑year‑old describing the decision as “shocked and gutted.”

Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins is set to be selected after helping his side win the Europa League on Wednesday, alongside Al‑Ahli striker Ivan Toney, who has scored 32 goals in 32 games in the Saudi Arabian league this season.

Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs‑White will miss out, despite being the top‑scoring English player in the Premier League this season, alongside Watkins and Dominic Calvert‑Lewin, who have 14 goals each.

Chelsea defender Levi Colwill and AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori are also understood to be left out, while Arsenal winger Noni Madueke is thought to have made the cut.

He joins his Premier League‑winning teammates Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Eberechi Eze, who is expected to be rewarded for his excellent form with a place in the 26.

The omissions of Maguire, Tomori and Colwill make Manchester City defender John Stones a likely inclusion, despite an injury‑disrupted campaign. Tuchel regards Stones as a key player but remains concerned about his fitness.

Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton is another player poised to miss out, while Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is expected to retain his place after a recall for the previous friendlies.

Brentford midfielder Jordan Henderson, a mainstay under Tuchel, is also anticipated to keep his spot.

The World Cup, which will be staged across the United States, Mexico and Canada, begins on 11 June.