England World Cup snubs: Maguire, Palmer amongst players reportedly not selected for Three Lions duty in 2026 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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While Thomas Tuchel was not expected to name his final 26-man England squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup until Friday, May 22, reports filtered through the UK media one day prior with names included and excluded from the list.
As various selections and snubs made their way through the English papers, there were some shocking names left off Tuchel's list of players who will represent the Three Lions at this summer's tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
While global superstars like Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, and Marc Guehi had nothing to sweat as the selection came due, many other established veterans and big-name performers for England in the recent past have been axed, whether due to bad tactical fit, poor form, injuries, or a combination of such excuses.
The Sporting News has reviewed the reports and included the most notable snubs from Tuchel's World Cup roster set to challenge for the famous FIFA trophy in June and July.
MORE:A comprehensive look at the predicted England squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Biggest England snubs for 2026 World Cup
Here are the five players who have reportedly not been chosen by Thomas Tuchel to represent England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer.
Harry Maguire
Unquestionably, the biggest snub of the 2026 roster is Harry Maguire, who confirmed on May 21 he was not selected as part of Tuchel's World Cup squad by saying he was "left shocked and gutted by the decision."
Considered one of England's veteran leaders, Maguire has 66 international caps to his name, but has only made three international appearances since Euro 2024 when he missed out due to injury.
Still, the 33-year-old has been a strong performer for Manchester United this season, a key part of the club's second-half turnaround under Michael Carrick which saw the Red Devils secure Champions League football with a third-place finish in the Premier League table. Maguire started 14 of the club's final 16 Premier League matches, helping steady the ship while Lisandro Martinez missed considerable time.
Given England's options at centre-back, it's a risky decision by Tuchel to leave Maguire home. With Ben White and Levi Colwill struggling with fitness, it seems Tuchel has chosen to lean on Dan Burn, John Stones, Jarell Quansah, and Ezri Konsa next to the world-class Marc Guehi. Would Maguire really not have contributed in that rotation, especially in the event of an injury at the tournament? And that's not even considering his unique skills in front of goal at a tournament where set pieces are likely to be more important than ever.
Jarrod Bowen
It's genuinely insane to think about how many ways Jarrod Bowen would have been useful to Thomas Tuchel at the World Cup, and yet he's not been selected.
The 29-year-old scored eight goals and assisted 10 more for a likely-relegated West Ham side with few other quality attacking options to help out. Not only that, but Bowen is a tireless runner who has seemingly endless energy and doesn't mind defending one bit. Additionally, Bowen can play multiple positions, serving as a winger with boundless legs or moving centrally to the No. 9 position.
His pace, dribbling, and positioning are all elite, and it's astonishing that Tuchel has gone with the likes of Noni Madueke and Ivan Toney in the attack instead.
Lewis Hall
Easily the most baffling exclusion by Thomas Tuchel was the omission of Newcastle standout Lewis Hall, who seemed well-positioned to not only make the World Cup roster in 2026, but even potentially start at left-back.
Just two days prior to the news breaking on May 21 that he was not amongst the 26 players heading to North America, Hall had admitted he was "really excited and really looking forward to showing what I can do" for England. Three Lions fans were, too, given he has been largely exceptional for Newcastle during an otherwise rocky season on Tyneside. Hall shone in March victories against Manchester United and Chelsea, giving fans the belief he could be a starter for England.
Yet in the end, Hall has been left out, as Tuchel will lean largely on Djed Spence and Nico O'Reilly on the left, with Dan Burn potentially filling in if needed. Considering Spence has fractured his jaw just last weekend, it's a risky move indeed.
Phil Foden
According to multiple reports in the English media, Man City star Phil Foden has been omitted from Thomas Tuchel's World Cup squad for 2026.
While Foden's prominence within the England setup makes him a notable absence, especially considering he started all seven games at Euro 2024 and has been in the squad for each of the last three major tournaments.
Yet Foden has struggled this season with Man City, and those difficulties have bled over into international duty where he has just one goal and one assist for England since the start of 2024. Tuchel admitted back in November that while Foden was strong on the training pitch, he "struggles to show it on the pitch" of late.
With a glutton of in-form playmakers in the England squad playing at a high level for big clubs, this isn't as surprising as it may seem initially.
Cole Palmer
Like Phil Foden, Chelsea playmaker Cole Palmer is an established England star who has endured a difficult club season that has reportedly cost him a place at the World Cup.
Palmer has been playing through muscle injuries for much of the 2025/26 Premier League season, and it has clearly impacted his ability to contribute, as his nine goals and one assist in top flight play was a far cry from his previous campaign when he challenged for the Golden Boot.
It's understandable that Tuchel would prefer to select players with greater fitness and more form to lean on, but nonetheless the exclusion of Palmer will raise eyebrows considering the game-changing abilities he has when fully healthy.
Given a few weeks to recover after the end of the league season, would Palmer not have been able to return to his best? Because his best easily makes him a world-class performer, and one Tuchel could not afford to omit.
Luke Shaw
Man United defender Luke Shaw was reportedly omitted from Thomas Tuchel's squad for the 2026 World Cup.
Shaw at one time was a critical component of the England setup, as his ability to play centre-back or full-back made him a valuable addition to the roster, especially for previous managers that preferred to play with three at the back. Yet under Thomas Tuchel, Shaw has been an afterthought, left without a national team call-up since Euro 2024, partly due to consistent injury struggles and partly due to managerial preference.
Shaw's omission therefore isn't a surprise, but it still deserves mention as the 30-year-old defender has been excellent for Man United this season, appearing in all 37 of the club's Premier League matches heading into the domestic finale, the first time in his career he has logged more than 32 league appearances in a single season.
Given what Shaw can bring to the table, it's a risk not to include him in the squad, even just as a backup to various stronger performers at multiple positions.
Levi Colwill
23-year-old Chelsea defender Levi Colwill may just have five international caps to his name, but his exclusion from the England squad is a big call for Thomas Tuchel.
Colwill is highly regarded at both club and country, but has missed most of the 2025/26 with a torn ACL he suffered back in preseason. Colwill has returned to action only recently, with three games under his belt, including a 90-minute performance in the FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City.
Even though he has only just returned to full fitness, Colwill would be a welcome addition to a thin England defensive unit which is missing both depth and star power. Considering the Chelsea star is garnering reported interest from clubs like Barcelona and Real Madrid this summer, Tuchel's decision to pass him by is a curious call.
Adam Wharton
One of the biggest up-and-coming names in the Premier League was left off the England roster, as 22-year-old Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton was reportedly excluded from the squad.
Wharton has blossomed into one of the most in-demand players with his exceptional season anchoring the Palace midfield, and is expected to be the subject of numerous big-money offers from Champions League clubs this summer. Yet Thomas Tuchel was not swayed, as he will instead reportedly rely on another fast riser in Elliott Anderson alongside Jude Bellingham and Kobbie Mainoo in midfield.