Tuchel's brutal England axe: Foden and Palmer join Maguire on exit list
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Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 21.05.26. | 22:30
Three of England's biggest names are set to miss the tournament after the new manager chose form, fitness and balance over reputation and star power
For years, Thomas Tuchel insisted reputation alone would not guarantee a ticket to the World Cup. On Friday, England's squad announcement is expected to prove exactly that.
After Harry Maguire's emotional admission that he was "shocked and gutted" to be left out, two more enormous names are now set to join him on the outside looking in: Phil Foden and Cole Palmer!
Both attacking stars are expected to miss the cut for the World Cup despite entering the season as automatic picks for England.
However, inconsistent campaigns at Manchester City and Chelsea have seemingly cost them dearly.
Foden, once viewed as the future face of the Three Lions' attack, struggled to hit his usual standards during City's turbulent season, while Palmer failed to consistently reproduce the explosive form that turned him into one of the Premier League's breakout stars a year ago.
Instead, Tuchel appears ready to reward form over status.
Ollie Watkins is expected to be included after helping Aston Villa lift the Europa League, while Ivan Toney has forced his way back into contention following a remarkable scoring season with Al-Ahli.
There are painful omissions elsewhere, too.
Morgan Gibbs-White - statistically one of the Premier League's best English attackers this season - is also expected to miss out, despite his superb numbers for Nottingham Forest, due to a severe head injury.
At the back, Tuchel is reportedly ready to move forward without Luke Shaw, Levi Colwill and Fikayo Tomori, while still keeping faith in the injury-hit John Stones, whose leadership and experience remain highly valued inside the England setup.
Manchester City’s Phil Foden and Chelsea’s Cole Palmer have been left out of England’s World Cup squad.
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) May 21, 2026
Ivan Toney, who plays for Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli, Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo, Newcastle United defender Tino Livramento and Arsenal winger Noni Madueke are among… pic.twitter.com/nOY2aiWQm5
Meanwhile, younger profiles continue to rise.
Noni Madueke is expected to earn a place alongside Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and the in-form Eberechi Eze, while Kobbie Mainoo has seemingly done enough to survive the final cut.
The message from Tuchel could hardly be clearer: past reputation means nothing now.
And for Foden, Palmer and Maguire, the World Cup dream has collapsed far earlier than anyone expected.