Phil Foden is understood to be one of the players who will miss out on Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the 2026 World Cup.
Uncertainty had lingered concerning Foden's inclusion in the Three Lions' 26-man squad for this summer's tournament after a season where the Manchester City star struggled to replicate the form he demonstrated on his path to being named PFA Players' Player of the Year in 2024.
Foden did enjoy a purple patch from November into December where he scored six goals and registered one assist, but the arrival of Antoine Semenyo in the January transfer window saw competition for starting places intensify and Foden subsequently slipped down Pep Guardiola's pecking order.
The 25-year-old has started just three of Man City's last 15 Premier League fixtures since being withdrawn at half-time during the Manchester derby defeat to Old Trafford in January.
Foden was handed an opportunity by Tuchel to impress during England's March international camp, but the former FWA Footballer of the Year failed to have the desired impact in friendlies against Uruguay and Japan.
He did produce a performance reminiscent of his excellence in the 2023/24 campaign during Manchester City's 3-0 win over Crystal Palace, but his last-ditch salvo was ultimately too late for Foden, who will not feature at a major tournament for England for the first time since Euro 2020.
Foden is one of several players reportedly informed of their omission from England's World Cup squad with Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw, Newcastle United left-back Lewis Hall and Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton.
Shaw is one of several United defenders to have been reenergised since the arrival of Michael Carrick and the 30-year-old has overcome his injury woes to feature in every Premier League match this season.
However, Shaw still falls behind Foden's team-mate, Nico O'Reilly in the pecking order at left-back.
Palace orchestrator Wharton had been tipped by many onlookers to feature in Tuchel's 26-strong party but it's been reported by talkSPORT's Alex Crook that the Blackburn Rovers acadamy graduate will not be on the plane to the United States.
Wharton's absence is set to present Kobbie Mainoo with a spot in Tuchel's plans and like Shaw, the central midfielder has been rejuvenated since Carrick arrived at Old Trafford.
Arsenal winger Noni Madueke and Newcastle full-back Tino Livramento are also expected to feature in England's squad, according to The Athletic's David Ornstein.
However, there is uncertainty around the presence of Chelsea duo Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill, while Jarrod Bowen is understood to have failed to make the cut.
Tom Garratt and Rory Talks Football ran through the names of those on the periphery of the World Cup squad and the pair were unanimous on Foden's inclusion in the England squad.
Should these England players go to the World Cup? ✈️@Rory_Talks_Ball | @elliec0llins | @Tgarratt10 pic.twitter.com/RcMHJ5cyqV
— bet365 (@bet365) May 21, 2026
There were some contentious decisions, with Rory disagreeing with Tom on his preference of James Garner as a central midfield option over Wharton.
Debate also raged on the inclusion of Newcastle United defender Dan Burn, while both agreed on the surprising omission of a player with 18 goal contributions in the Premier League.
