Manchester City star Phil Foden ‘not a guarantee’ for England’s World Cup 2026 squad, admits Thomas Tuchel after struggles against Uruguay, Japan

The Manchester City man started in an attacking midfield position in the first friendly before being deployed in a false nine role in the game with Japan. 

However, he failed to have the desired impact in either match, managing just one shot across both of them, and his place in Tuchel’s plans appears to be hanging in the balance.

“Well, it’s not a guarantee that he will come,” the German said after Japan became the first Asian team to beat England.

Tuchel said Foden was “excellent” in training but “struggles to show it on the pitch”.

‘Total belief’ – Tuchel full of confidence in England squad

Video credit: SNTV

The England boss added: “Obviously, he didn’t have a lot of minutes for City recently, then he came to camp with the brightest smile and was so good in training.

“And I thought he will just surprise us and will play with the same verve and excitement but, yeah, he struggles to have the full impact.”

Foden was substituted before the hour mark on Tuesday as he was replaced by a more orthodox centre-forward in the form of Dominic Solanke.

The experiment of playing him as a striker was seemingly unsuccessful, meaning he may well be competing for a spot in the squad with England’s plethora of No. 10s.

Morgan Rogers has generally been Tuchel’s go-to man in that position since the German’s tenure got underway last January. 

The Aston Villa man is expected to face competition from Jude Bellingham for a spot in the starting line-up this summer, while Cole Palmer and Eberechi Eze will also be hoping to travel to North America.

Foden has not been regularly called upon by Tuchel, starting only once previously for the German, in his first match in charge last March.

As Tuchel highlighted, Foden has struggled for playing time with Manchester City in recent weeks, particularly in the more high-profile fixtures.

The academy graduate was left on the bench in both legs of City’s UEFA Champions League last-16 tie with Real Madrid, before coming on in the 90th minute of their Carabao Cup final victory against Arsenal. 

In the Premier League, he has started just two of City’s last eight games, failing to get any minutes away at Liverpool and Leeds United in that time. 

The Englishman has failed to find the back of the net for his club since the middle of December. 

Tuchel will have to make his decision by May 30 when he submits his final squad to FIFA, before England kick off their group stage campaign against Croatia on 17 June.