England defender Marc Guehi has withdrawn from the squad for Sunday’s World Cup qualifier against Albania. The centre-half, who missed Thursday’s win over Serbia with a foot injury, will not recover in time for the Group K finale in Tirana.
Guehi has returned to Crystal Palace for treatment, hoping to be fit for next Saturday’s Premier League clash with Wolves. Thomas Tuchel has not called up a replacement, so England will travel to Albania with a 24-man squad.
A Football Association statement confirmed: “Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi has left the England camp and will not travel to Albania for Sunday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier. The defender joined up with the Three Lions at Tottenham Hotspur’s training ground earlier this week but has returned to his club to continue his rehabilitation.”
Guehi’s absence means Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa and Manchester City’s John Stones could continue their partnership. Dan Burn, Trevoh Chalobah or Jarrell Quansah could also feature if Tuchel makes changes for the dead rubber. Tuchel’s side are looking to close out qualification with a 100 per cent record, having won their first seven matches without conceding a goal.
With England’s place at next summer’s World Cup already assured, Tuchel has only three more matches to finalise his tournament plans. He could make changes higher up the pitch, with Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden pushing for starting berths after coming off the bench against Serbia.
