Phil Foden

World Cup 2026 Analysis

Phil Foden's 2026 FIFA World Cup Prospects: A Mixed Bag of Club Brilliance and International Challenge

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, Phil Foden's prospects for the England squad present a compelling narrative, marked by his exceptional club form and an ongoing battle to consistently replicate that impact on the international stage. While his talent is undeniable, his role and assuredness of a starting spot under England manager Thomas Tuchel remain subjects of analysis and debate among pundits.

Current Form and Club Performance

Phil Foden has been in "brilliant form" for Manchester City during the latter part of 2025, continuing into the 2025-2026 season. He has expressed satisfaction with his performances, noting them as "much better than last season" (2024-2025), a period where he reportedly struggled with fitness and form. His impressive club displays follow a stellar 2023-24 campaign where he was named the Premier League Player of the Season and the PFA Players' Player of the Year. During the current 2025-26 season, Foden has featured in 11 matches across all competitions as of early November 2025, scoring two goals and providing two assists in seven Premier League appearances. Earlier in the 2024-2025 UEFA Nations League, he also made an appearance for England against Greece in October 2024.

England National Team Dynamics and Tuchel's Vision

Foden's involvement with the England national team under Thomas Tuchel has been more inconsistent. He made a return to the England squad in November 2025 for World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania, having been omitted from the three preceding squads. His last appearance for England prior to this recall was in March 2025.

A key aspect of Foden's international future lies in his positioning. Thomas Tuchel reportedly views Foden's strongest position as a central attacking role, specifically as a "nine and a half, a 10 and a half, very fluid," rather than as a traditional winger. This perspective aims to leverage Foden's ability to contribute close to the opponent's box.

However, Foden has historically found it challenging to translate his prolific club form into consistent goal contributions for England. He has not scored for England since a friendly win against Scotland in September 2023, and his last competitive goal for his country was at the 2022 World Cup against Wales. This disparity in performance has led to analysis regarding his effectiveness in the national team setup, with past instances highlighting struggles to create chances and maintain possession in certain tactical formations.

Expert Analysis and 2026 World Cup Predictions

Football analysts hold varied opinions on Foden's 2026 World Cup prospects. Some predictions for England's 2026 squad consistently include Foden, often placing him in a left-wing or forward role. However, concerns have been raised by figures like former England international Emile Heskey, who pointed out Foden's "vulnerability to missing out on the World Cup squad." Clinton Morrison, another former player, believes Foden is "too talented not to" be in the squad, but acknowledges his chances might be "50/50" given Tuchel's potential loyalty to other performing players.

The competition for attacking midfield and wide positions in the England squad is fierce, with players like Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, Anthony Gordon, Eberechi Eze, and even a potentially resurgent Marcus Rashford vying for spots. The possibility of England adopting a more fluid, striker-less system by 2026 could also impact Foden's role, potentially allowing him, Palmer, or Jude Bellingham to spearhead the attack.

Conclusion

Phil Foden's journey towards the 2026 FIFA World Cup is poised at an interesting juncture. His undeniable talent and recent stellar club performances for Manchester City make him a strong contender for the squad. However, his ability to fully integrate into Thomas Tuchel's tactical vision and consistently deliver for England, especially in a competitive attacking lineup, will be crucial in solidifying his role and maximizing his prospects for the tournament.