England's 2026 World Cup Squad: Tuchel's Shock Calls — Foden & Palmer Left Out

Thomas Tuchel's first England squad for a major tournament has been revealed — and it has sent shockwaves through English football. The German coach has made some of the most controversial selection decisions seen in recent memory, with two of the Premier League's most celebrated attacking players left at home.

Foden and Palmer Axed

Phil Foden — Premier League Player of the Year in 2024 and a six-time title winner with Manchester City — has been left out of the squad entirely. So too has Cole Palmer, who scored for England in the Euro 2024 final and finished 8th in last year's Ballon d'Or. Both omissions have stunned pundits and fans alike, raising serious questions about Tuchel's attacking philosophy and his vision for the Three Lions.

England's Group L Draw

England are in Group L alongside Croatia, Ghana, and Panama — a group that most analysts consider very winnable for the Three Lions. England opened as second favourites for the tournament at +550 odds behind Spain, though they have since made up ground. Their first match is a stern early test against a Croatian side with plenty of tournament experience.

The Burden of Expectation

England arrive at every major tournament carrying the weight of 60 years without a World Cup title. Tuchel's shock selections have divided the nation before a ball has been kicked — but history is littered with coaches who made unpopular calls and won tournaments. Whether leaving Foden and Palmer at home proves to be a masterstroke or a catastrophic misjudgement will only be answered on the pitch.

Can England Win It?

Current odds have England at +650 to win the 2026 World Cup — third favourites behind Spain (+450) and France (+480). With or without Foden and Palmer, they have the squad depth and the tactical nous of a Bundesliga-winning coach. The question is whether Tuchel can forge a cohesive, tournament-winning unit in the weeks available before June 11.