England leave Foden and Palmer out of World Cup squad

LONDON: England will head to next month’s World Cup without several familiar faces after midfielders Phil Foden and Cole Palmer and defender Trent Alexander-Arnold all missed the cutfor manager Thomas Tuchel’s 26-man squad on Friday.
There was a surprise recall, however, for former Brentford striker Ivan Toney despite him 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 defense in recent tournaments.
United’s Luke Shaw also missed out but Manchester City defender John Stones has been selected for his sixth tournament despite making only a handful of league appearances this season.
Real Madrid right back Alexander-Arnold has featured only once since Tuchel took charge of England in January 2025 and his omission was not a surprise.
Brentford’s veteran ‌midfielder Jordan Henderson, a ‌firm favorite of Tuchel for his leadership qualities, becomes only the second England ‌player ⁠to make four ⁠World Cup squads after 1966 World Cup winner Bobby Charlton.

RUTHLESS STREAK
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 nine players without any previous major tournament experience.
Only eight of England’s 2022 World Cup squad in Qatar, when England reached the quarter-finals, make this year’s selection.
“I love the difficult decisions, and I love the tough decisions — they bring a certain edge,” Tuchel told the England official app after the squad was announced.
“That is what you