FIFA World Cup 2026 | Phil Foden and Cole Palmer left out of England squad

England will head to FIFA World Cup 2026 without several familiar faces after midfielders Phil Foden and Cole Palmer missed the cutfor manager Thomas Tuchel's 26-man squad.

The duo had played a major role in the Three Lions' run to the final of Euro 2024.

Only eight ⁠of England's Qatar 2022 ‌World Cup squad, when the Three Lions reached the quarterfinals, made this year's selection.

There was a surprise recall, however, for former Brentford striker Ivan Toney after playing ⁠only seven minutes of international football since Euro 2024.

Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo was selected after ⁠a return to form in the second half of the season but ‌there was no place for his ​United teammate Harry Maguire who has been a mainstay of England's defence in recent tournaments.

Real Madrid right back Trent Alexander-Arnold, as expected, was overlooked, having featured only once since Tuchel took charge of England in January 2025.

Brentford's veteran midfielder Jordan Henderson, a firm favourite of Tuchel for his leadership ​qualities, becomes only the second England ⁠player to make four World Cup squads after Bobby Charlton.

Tuchel's ruthless streak and loyalty to players who have performed under his tenure, rather than those with big reputations, was again in evidence as the German selected many players without any previous tournament minutes.

Only eight ⁠of England's 2022 ‌World Cup squad in Qatar, when England reached the quarter-finals, make this year's selection.

Manchester ‌City's Foden and Chelsea's Palmer had both been vying for the No.10 role but have found themselves overtaken in Tuchel's pecking order after disappointing seasons.

There was also no place for Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White despite ⁠an impressive season ⁠in which he is the joint top English goalscorer in the Premier League alongside Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Watkins is one of seven forwards in the squad which will again rely heavily on the goals of captain Harry Kane.

England are in Group L with Croatia, Ghana and Panama.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), James Trafford (Man City).

Defenders: ​Reece James (Chelsea), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), John Stones (Man City), Marc Guehi (Man City), Dan ​Burn (Newcastle), Nico O'Reilly (Man City), Djed Spence (Tottenham), ​Tino Livramento (Newcastle).

Midfielders: Declan Rice (Arsenal), Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Kobbie Mainoo (Man Utd), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal).

Forwards: ​Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Noni Madueke (Arsenal).

The FIFA World Cup 2026, to be co-hosted by USA, Mexico and Canada will be held from June 11 to July 19.

(With inputs from agencies)