In a different universe, or perhaps simply under a different manager, Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Trent Alexander-Arnold would have been key players for England at the 2026 World Cup. In the real world, however, none of the three made Thomas Tuchel’s squad.

Palmer and Foden overlooked

The trio’s omission raised plenty of eyebrows in England and beyond. Palmer showed only glimpses of his best form in a struggling Chelsea team, while Foden’s late-season resurgence with Manchester City came too late after a difficult start to the campaign.

However, the pair are still widely regarded as two of England’s most creative attacking players. They have ultimately paid the price for dips in form, as well as England’s crowded No. 10 pool, which also includes Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze.

Defensive questions and Madrid scrutiny

Alexander-Arnold was in and out of the Real Madrid team in his first season in Spain, mirroring his England career trajectory in recent years. Despite his undoubted ability on the ball, questions about his defensive and tactical discipline, important for a right back, continue to follow him.

The 27-year-old’s absence from the final roster was by far the least surprising. Alexander-Arnold was not included in Tuchel’s 55-player preliminary squad, and he has not played for England since June 2025.

Tuchel’s “team-first” philosophy

“From day one we were clear we were trying to build the best possible team, which is not necessarily the 26 most talented players,” Tuchel explained after announcing his World Cup roster.

“Teams win championships - and what we’re trying to achieve can only be achieved as a team,” the German continued. “We have players ready and committed to the idea of team spirit and being unselfish.”

“We have specialists for different scenarios - when we’re leading, when we’re chasing a result. We have always said we want to be a strong set-piece team, so we have specialists for that and we want to be a strong penalty team, we have specialists for that.”

Difficult calls on major names

Although the former Chelsea coach did not mention Foden, Palmer or Alexander-Arnold individually, he suggested leaving out three of England’s most gifted technical players was a hugely difficult decision.

“I’m very confident in the group we chose,” Tuchel said. “Very difficult decisions. Painful conversations. Difficult to explain to the players. But what we try to achieve we achieve as a team.

“If everyone is selected, it’s a given we have to leave some extraordinary players and extraordinary personalities at home.”

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