England’s World Cup Qualifier Squad Announcement Sparks Controversy: Bellingham, Foden, and Grealish Left Out
The England national team has officially announced its squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. But alongside the excitement came a storm of controversy—largely fueled by the surprising exclusion of three major stars. Head coach Thomas Tuchel’s selection criteria are now under intense scrutiny, as Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, Manchester City’s Phil Foden, and Everton’s on-loan Jack Grealish were all left out.
Let’s break down each omission:
Bellingham’s Exclusion
At just 22 years old, Bellingham has already established himself as one of the brightest talents in English football. His versatility allows him to dominate both as a holding midfielder and in advanced roles. Over the past two seasons at Real Madrid, he has delivered an extraordinary return of 38 goals and 27 assists. Despite a recent injury setback, he has made a successful recovery and returned to form. Tuchel’s decision not to call him up has left fans and pundits bewildered. Was there a behind-the-scenes agreement with Real Madrid? Even Sky Sports reporters expressed shock, echoing the sentiments of countless England supporters.
Foden Left Out
Phil Foden’s absence has also raised eyebrows. While he seemed to hit a plateau in recent months, the Manchester City midfielder has reignited his form at the start of the new season. In seven appearances (six starts) across competitions, he has contributed two goals and two assists. The “little magician” looks to be rediscovering his spark, but Tuchel has chosen to overlook him. Many see this as a puzzling waste of world-class talent. Could Pep Guardiola’s input have influenced this call?
No Place for Grealish
Perhaps the most surprising omission is Jack Grealish. Struggling for consistency at Manchester City, the winger’s loan move to Everton has sparked an impressive revival. In just six Premier League matches, Grealish has already notched four assists, leading the league’s assist charts. Yet despite this resurgence, Tuchel has opted to leave him out of the squad. To many, this feels like England are willingly depriving themselves of much-needed creativity and depth.
