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Published: May 22 2026
Published at: 10:14Am
Source BBC Sports
Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Trent Alexander-Arnold have not been included in Thomas Tuchel’s 26-man England squad for this summer’s World Cup.
Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has also been left out, with the 33-year-old saying he is “shocked and gutted” at the decision.
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins is 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 has missed out, despite being the top-scoring English player in the Premier League this season, alongside Watkins and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, on 14 goals.
Manchester City’s Foden and Chelsea’s Palmer – both attacking midfielders who can also play as forwards – have had inconsistent seasons.
In a post on Instagram, Maguire confirmed: “I was confident I could have played a major part this summer for my country after the season I’ve had. I’ve been left shocked and gutted by the decision. I wish the players all the best.”
Maguire’s mother Zoe posted on social media to express her disappointment, saying she was “disgusted” by the decision.
Maguire’s Manchester United team-mate Luke Shaw has also been omitted despite his impressive season.
Shaw was named in Tuchel’s 55-man provisional squad and there had been a clamour for his inclusion.
But, with Newcastle’s Dan Burn and Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly being called up, Shaw is expected to miss out.
Chelsea defender Levi Colwill and AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori are out, though Arsenal winger Noni Madueke has made the cut.
He joins his Premier League-winning team-mates Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Eberechi Eze, who is rewarded for his excellent form with a place in the 26.
Tottenham defender Djed Spence has also made Tuchel’s squad, meaning there is no place for Real Madrid’s Alexander-Arnold, Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly or Everton’s James Garner.
Spence, 25, suffered a broken jaw in Tottenham’s 2-1 defeat by Chelsea on Tuesday but is expected to wear a protective mask if he plays against Everton in the Premier League on Sunday.
The omissions of Maguire, Tomori and Colwill mean Manchester City defender John Stones has been 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 to miss out, but Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo keeps his place in the squad after earning a recall for the previous friendlies.
Brentford midfielder Jordan Henderson, who has been a mainstay under Tuchel, keeps his place.
The World Cup, which takes place across the US, Mexico and Canada, starts on 11 June.
