2026 W/Cup: Foden, Palmer Set To Miss Out On England World Cup Squad

Phil Foden and Cole Palmer are set to miss out when Thomas Tuchel names his 26-man England squad on Friday for this summer’s World Cup, BBC Sport reports.

Foden and Palmer – both attacking midfielders who can also play as forwards – have had inconsistent seasons for their respective clubs.

Foden has played 49 times for England but started only 22 Premier League games for City this season, scoring seven goals and providing five assists across his 32 top-flight appearances.

Palmer has scored nine goals in 25 Premier League games during an injury-hit campaign for Chelsea, who are eighth in the Premier League after a disappointing season.

Manchester United defender Harry Maguire will also be left out, with the 33-year-old saying he is “shocked and gutted” at the decision.

Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins is set to be included – 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 is set to miss out, despite being the top-scoring English player in the Premier League this season, alongside Watkins and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, on 14 goals.

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

Also Read: Maguire Left Out of England’s 2026 World Cup Squad

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

The omissions of Maguire, Tomori and Colwill mean Manchester City defender John Stones is very likely to be included, despite his injury-disrupted campaign.

Tuchel views Stones as a key player but has been concerned about the departing Manchester City man’s fitness.

Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton is another poised to miss out, but Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is set to keep his place in the squad after earning a recall for the previous friendlies.

There is an expectation that Brentford midfielder Jordan Henderson, who has been a mainstay under Tuchel, will keep his place.

The World Cup, which takes place across the US, Mexico and Canada, starts on 11 June.