Manchester City star Phil Foden, 26, was left disappointed after missing out on a place on the plane to North America for the 2026 World Cup. Some supporters were left puzzled after Thomas Tuchel omitted him from his 26-man England squad. Here is why Foden was not chosen.
Dramatic Dip in Club Form
Phil Foden endured an inconsistent season at Manchester City. His performances fell away sharply, and across 50 appearances in all competitions for his club, Foden managed just 10 goals and seven assists.
Dropped to the Bench by Pep Guardiola
As a direct consequence of his poor form, Foden found himself relegated to the substitutes' bench for City's most crucial fixtures. He was notably kept on the bench for the Champions League knockout matches against Real Madrid and the FA Cup final against Chelsea.
Uncertainty Over His Best Position
England manager Thomas Tuchel admitted he was left puzzled by the manner in which Foden was being utilised tactically at club level. This absence of a clearly defined role made it challenging to incorporate him effectively into the international set-up.
Squad Harmony Prioritised Over Reputation
Tuchel made clear that tactical cohesion and structural balance took precedence over individual star power when naming his final 26-man squad. The manager stated that he was unwilling to overburden the group by selecting too many natural number 10s.
Fierce Rivalry in Attacking Midfield
The rise and outstanding form of other top-class playmakers ultimately edged Foden out of contention. The likes of Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers enjoyed superior individual campaigns and earned their places ahead of him.
Lacklustre Displays in International Warm-Up Fixtures
Foden was handed a direct opportunity during England's pre-tournament friendly clashes with Uruguay and Japan to demonstrate his credentials to the new management team. Yet his showings fell short of making an impact or convincing Tuchel sufficiently to earn a seat on the flight to North America.
Merciless Squad Reshuffle by Tuchel
The German set out a stark objective to break England's 60-year trophy famine by taking ruthless calls. Alongside Foden, other high-profile names like Cole Palmer, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Harry Maguire were similarly dropped in these far-reaching selection decisions.
