Thomas Tuchel didn't want to play England's Phil Foden out of position at 2026 World Cup

Tuchel said the omission formed part of a wider squad reshaping, with positional and structural considerations central to his selection process. Other high-profile players left out included Cole Palmer, Harry Maguire and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Foden, aged 25, has earned 49 England caps since his 2020 debut and featured at the last three major tournaments. His omission follows an inconsistent domestic season with Manchester City, in which he scored seven Premier League goals.

Previously involved in England's last three major tournaments, he remains a former PFA Players' Player of the Year.

Since taking charge in January 2025, Tuchel has given him only one start, preferring Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers centrally.

"With Phil, it's a little bit different, he was excellent in camp for us...not only in training but also out of it. It hurt me a lot actually to tell him this decision," Tuchel told talkSPORT.

"I could see in his reaction how much it would have meant for him to come. But 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.

"I was unsure in the end what position he is. Is it a 10, is it a false 9, 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, unhappy, so the decisions have to be made."

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