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Former England defender Kyle Walker has admitted he was taken aback after Thomas Tuchel decided to leave out Phil Foden, Harry Maguire, and Trent Alexander-Arnold from his World Cup squad. The three high-profile names were the most notable omissions from Friday’s 26-player list for the tournament in North America, leaving Walker puzzled by several of the coach’s tactical selections.

Tuchel’s unexpected choices

Tuchel created a stir across the international football scene by finalising a bold 26-man squad that excluded several well-established stars. Alongside players like Cole Palmer and Morgan Gibbs-White, big names such as Foden, Maguire, and Alexander-Arnold were left out of the travelling party to the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The sharp decisions quickly sparked discussions about the balance between form and experience, prompting Walker to share his honest thoughts about his former teammates’ sudden omissions.

Walker’s take on the omissions

The ex-Manchester City defender began by analysing his former clubmate Foden’s situation, mentioning the lack of momentum under Pep Guardiola and questioning his most effective playing position. Speaking on talkSPORT, Walker stated, “It’s a shock to me because I know what Phil can do on a daily basis. I know what he can produce on the pitch at any time. But Phil might admit that he hasn’t shown enough of that for Manchester City — or maybe he hasn’t been given enough chances to.”

“Only Phil and Pep would know the full story. Perhaps that has influenced Thomas’s decision. Personally, I think Phil’s best position is as a No.10. He can play from the wings too — he’s done that for most of his career so far — but I believe he’s been a bit unlucky, having to wait for players like David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne to move aside for him to take that central creative role. For some reason, the manager hasn’t used him there, but in my view, Phil is at his best operating in those inside pockets.”

Walker also spoke in defence of Maguire, who missed out despite an impressive season with Manchester United. He said, “If you’d told me six months ago that Harry wouldn’t make the squad, I’d have said, ‘Fair enough.’ But considering what he’s done this season, especially given Manchester United’s situation, I thought he’d done enough to earn a place.”

“His experience in major tournaments has been vital. He’s been an important figure in all the campaigns I’ve been part of. It’s really harsh on him to miss out. He’s brilliant for England — you can see it in how he performs, even in penalty shootouts. For a centre-back to step up in those moments in major tournaments speaks volumes about his character.”

“It shows how much representing England means to him. It must have been a tough conversation for him to have with the manager, a hard moment to take. But that’s football — he’ll have to pick himself up and move forward.”

Walker questions the reasoning

Alexander-Arnold’s exclusion also raised eyebrows, particularly given his move to Real Madrid despite an injury-affected season in Spain. While urging unity behind Tuchel’s leadership, Walker admitted he struggled to understand the logic. “If you told me a Real Madrid player couldn’t get into the England squad, I’d find that hard to believe. But the manager has chosen his path. He’s leading us into a World Cup, and we have to trust him. The more we support the team, the better it will be.”

“There will always be doubts about a manager’s decisions. But we have to back him, just like we did during the Russia campaign when the whole nation was behind us. That unity helps. We often talk about what Trent doesn’t do well, but we should also recognise what he does exceptionally — he’s arguably the best right-back in the world in terms of passing range, crossing ability, and assists.”

“You also have to consider the big matches he’s played in — Champions League finals, crucial games for Liverpool, and now Real Madrid. Those experiences matter. When you’re in a World Cup quarter-final or semi-final, or a European Championship final, it takes more than talent — it takes mental strength and personality to perform under that pressure.”

Preparations gather pace

Tuchel’s debated squad now needs to develop cohesion before their opening World Cup match against Croatia on June 17. The defensive unit, in particular, will be under scrutiny as the group stages unfold. Meanwhile, the omitted players will have time to rest and reflect, aiming to impress at club level before domestic pre-season training begins.