Tuchel Explains Phil Foden World Cup Snub: Positional Uncertainty Cost Manchester City Star England Place

Phil Foden will not be part of England’s 2026 FIFA World Cup squad after manager Thomas Tuchel concluded that the Manchester City playmaker no longer has a clearly defined role within his tactical system. The 25-year-old was among the most notable absentees when the final squad was announced on Friday, alongside Cole Palmer, Harry Maguire, and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Tuchel offered a candid explanation for one of the most debated selections in the squad announcement. “With Phil, it’s a little bit different, he was excellent in camp for us…not only in training but also out of it,” the German coach said. “It hurt me a lot, actually, to tell him this decision. I could see in his reaction how much it would have meant for him to come.”

Tuchel pointed to Foden’s drop in output during the second half of the domestic season as a central concern. “He lost momentum in a crucial part of the season, especially in the last half of the season…we could see glimpses here or there, but not enough evidence,” he said. Foden managed just seven Premier League goals for Manchester City across the campaign — a return that fell well short of his previous standards.

Beyond the statistics, Tuchel identified structural uncertainty as the determining factor. “I was unsure in the end what position he is,” the England manager said. “Is it a 10? Is it a false 9? Or is it maybe more of a Bernardo Silva role in the future as an 8? It’s maybe not on the wing anymore, so it doesn’t make sense to me to bring players and maybe play them out of position…to have them in camp it would make them uncomfortable and unhappy, so the decisions have to be made.”

The question of where Foden fits in an international setup is not new. Previous England managers have frequently deployed him on the flanks to accommodate other creative players in central areas, a compromise that has never fully unlocked his best form at international level. Foden has earned 49 caps since making his England debut in 2020 and featured in each of the country’s last three major tournaments, including the 2024 UEFA European Championship final.

Under Tuchel, who was appointed England manager in January 2025, Foden has received limited opportunity. The former PFA Players’ Player of the Year has been handed just one start under the German, with Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers preferred as the primary options in attacking midfield roles.

The decision to exclude Foden also comes in the context of broader selection calls that have generated significant discussion. Cole Palmer, who enjoyed a prolific season with Chelsea, was also left out — a move Tuchel addressed separately, offering a direct assessment of the player’s performances in an England shirt.

Foden’s absence marks a significant shift for a player who, as recently as Euro 2024, was considered a cornerstone of England’s attacking play. Whether his omission proves to be a short-term setback or signals a longer-term change in his international standing will likely depend on his form and positional clarity at club level next season.