Coach Thomas Tuchel left Cole Palmer out of the final Inglaterra list for Copa of Mundo 2026. The decision surprised part of the English fans. The striker experienced an irregular season at Chelsea, marked by physical problems and performance fluctuations. Ele did not travel with the group preparing for the tournament that starts in June in Estados Unidos, México and Canadá.
Outros known names were also left out of the English team. Phil Foden, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw did not make the 26-player squad. The depth of the group allowed Tuchel to opt for different options in key positions.
Carlo Ancelotti faced major casualties in preparation for Brasil. Rodrygo suffered a serious injury to the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in early March during Real Madrid’s match. The 25-year-old striker underwent surgery and will not be able to play until the end of the year. Ele loses the chance to compete in the tournament after the setback in the quarterfinals of the 2022 Copa.
Inglaterra prioritizes options in good phase
The absence of Cole Palmer sparked debate among analysts. The player has played as a starter or substitute in decisive moments for the national team in recent years. Ele converted important penalties, including in the final of Euro 2024. Mesmo therefore, the below-expected performance last season weighed on Tuchel’s evaluation.
Midfielder Phil Foden was also left out. The attacker experienced an irregular campaign at Manchester City. Trent Alexander-Arnold, known for his quality in long passes, was not called up. Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw complete the list of veterans who did not travel.
- Cole Palmer: form fluctuation and recurrent injuries
- Phil Foden: Underwhelming season at City
- Trent Alexander-Arnold: high competition in the sector
- Harry Maguire: unstable performance in defense
- Luke Shaw: Persistent physical problems
Inglaterra has an experienced and young cast to seek the unprecedented title. The tournament marks the first expanded participation in the competition, with 48 teams.
Brasil suffers from injuries in attack and defense
Rodrygo was an important part of Ancelotti’s plans. The coach, former commander of Real Madrid, knew the attacker’s characteristics well. The injury occurred shortly after returning from another period away. The tests confirmed the severity and ruled out any possibility of recovery in time.
Eder Militao also misses the Brazilian defense. The defender underwent surgery on his thigh muscle in April and is still recovering. Ele has accumulated physical problems in recent years, including ruptured cruciate ligaments in both knees. The return is only scheduled for October.
The young Estevao, aged 19, was one of the team’s promises. Ele suffered a thigh injury while defending against Chelsea in April. The recovery period did not allow inclusion in the preliminary list sent to Fifa. The striker had scored five goals in his last six games for the national team before the problem.
Joao Pedro, who had a good time at Chelsea with 20 goals this season, was also not called up. Ancelotti opted for other options in the attack command. Richarlison and Savinho complete the absences in the offensive sector.
Impacto of absences from favorite teams
Copa of Mundo 2026 promises to be the biggest in history. Games take place in three host countries. Inglaterra and Brasil arrive with title contender status, but need to deal with losses.
The English team has depth in midfield and attack. Tuchel tested different combinations in recent friendlies. The focus now is on the group’s quick adaptation before the debut.
No Brasil, the cast still has high-level names. Ancelotti works to fill the gaps left by embezzlement. The experience of older players can help compensate for the absence of rising youngsters.
Detalhes of injuries and recovery times
Serious injuries marked the preparation of several teams. The anterior cruciate ligament requires, on average, six to nine months for full recovery. In the case of Rodrygo, the injury combined with the meniscus further complicated the situation. Ele publicly expressed frustration with the situation.
Estevao attempted conservative recovery after his thigh injury. The initial optimistic deadline was not confirmed. The Brazilian technical committee decided not to take any risks and left him out of the preliminary round.
Outros players from qualified teams were also left out for similar reasons. Technical decisions and physical problems shaped the final squads sent to the confederations.