Tuchel snubs Palmer as Bellingham brothers finally link up in England squad

Thomas Tuchel has named his final England squad of 2026, leaving out Cole Palmer despite the Chelsea playmaker's previous withdrawal. The Mirror reported that the manager had previously labelled Palmer's absence a "missed opportunity" after the winger pulled out of October's camp citing fitness concerns ^[1].

The Independent noted that England are third in Group A3, needing just one point from their upcoming fixtures to secure a place in the March quarter-finals ^[2]. Tuchel's squad features a historic inclusion as Jobe Bellingham joins his older brother Jude in the senior setup for the first time.

The Daily Star confirmed the full 24-player list, which also includes a return for Arsenal defender Ben White and a first senior call-up for Fulham teenager Josh King ^[3]. According to the Daily Star, King earned his spot after impressing for Fulham in the Premier League, though specific performance metrics have not been independently confirmed. However, notable omissions remain, with Manchester City's Phil Foden and Arsenal's Noni Madueke both excluded despite strong recent form.

England will host Croatia at Wembley on November 12 before travelling to Madrid to face Spain on November 15. The Three Lions are chasing a spot in the knockout stages after losing their opening match to Spain earlier in the campaign.

Tuchel's decision to drop Palmer appears firm, having previously stated that players who miss camps cannot reach the "next level" required to impress him. Meanwhile, Declan Rice is back in the fold after managing his workload during the October international break.

Fan reactions to the announcement have been mixed, with social media users debating the exclusion of midfielders like Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and the inclusion of Jobe Bellingham. The squad represents a blend of established stars and emerging talent as England look to close out the year on a high.