England manager Thomas Tuchel has explained why Chelsea star Cole Palmer was left out of England’s 2026 FIFA World Cup squad, naming three players who stood out ahead of him.
Tuchel recently announced his final squad for the tournament, which is set to begin next month, with Palmer among the notable players missing from the list.
According to the coach, the decision was not random, but based on competition in the same attacking role and the form of other players during the season.
He pointed to Jude Bellingham, Eberechi Eze, and Morgan Rogers as players who had stronger performances and were more influential, which ultimately limited Palmer’s chances of selection.
Tuchel explained that Palmer did not have his best season compared to previous years and also missed several key matches, which affected his overall impact for club and country.
He added that the three selected players were more consistent and decisive in the attacking midfield role England needed for the tournament.
“Cole Palmer wasn’t as decisive as in previous seasons, and he wasn’t available for us a lot,” Tuchel said, as quoted by Fabrizio Romano.
“He competes in the same position with Jude, Morgan and Ebs, who had outstanding seasons and were more decisive for us in our camps.”
The decision has sparked discussions among fans, but Tuchel insists it was purely based on form, fitness, and tactical balance within the squad.