Thomas Tuchel has unveiled his 26-man England squad for the 2026 World Cup, aiming to end a 60-year wait for tournament success. The German, appointed two years ago after Gareth Southgate's departure, seeks to build on his predecessor's work in transforming England into regular contenders.
Tuchel's squad boasts attacking depth and midfield options but appears short on established international defenders. While many celebrated their inclusion, several notable players were left out after close calls in finalising the party. Here are six of the biggest omissions:
Phil Foden
It would have been unthinkable for Phil Foden to miss out a couple of years ago when the Manchester City playmaker was at his peak, emerging as a key figure under Southgate. However, the 25-year-old has been pushed to the fringes at City this season after early struggles for form. Despite recent strong showings, they were not enough to earn a spot. Tuchel's decision to overlook him is a gamble.
Cole Palmer
The crowded fight for playmaking places also squeezed out Cole Palmer in a major shock. Less than 12 months ago, Palmer was player of the match in both the Conference League and Club World Cup finals. While his form has dipped slightly, partly due to Chelsea's chaos, concerns over his sharpness remain after a heavy workload in 2024/25. Tuchel may have questioned his ideal role, ultimately deciding Palmer would watch from outside.
Morgan Gibbs-White
Form was not an issue for Morgan Gibbs-White, who finished the season superbly to power Nottingham Forest's turnaround. Heading into the final Premier League matchday, he is tied as a top English scorer with 14 goals and has a strong midfield connection with Elliot Anderson. However, the competition for creative places counted against him.
Harry Maguire
A stalwart over the last decade, Harry Maguire's game has always suited international football with his defensive solidity, passing range, and aerial threat. The 33-year-old has looked fine for Manchester United under Michael Carrick and could have lent tournament experience. But Tuchel looked elsewhere, with Maguire confirming his omission on Instagram: "I've been left shocked and gutted by the decision." His international future may be in doubt.
Adam Wharton
Adam Wharton's time in an England shirt will surely come, but many wonder why not now. The Crystal Palace midfielder offered a different option with his progressive passing throughout the campaign. Finding a spot may have been tricky given more versatile or experienced options, but Wharton can count himself unfortunate.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Perhaps not a surprise given his lowly pecking order over the last 12 months, Trent Alexander-Arnold may wonder if a different coach would have kept him as an option. A Premier League and Champions League-winning right-back, he was reinvented as a midfielder by Southgate at Euro 2024, but others have since emerged. An injury-disrupted season at Real Madrid did not help his cause.
