Who will be snubbed in England’s World Cup squad? Standard writers have their say
Chelsea Football Newsletter
Colwill ruptured his ACL in pre-season training last summer and has been limited to just three first-team appearances this season.
He completed the full 90 minutes of Chelsea’s FA Cup final defeat by Manchester City last weekend, before being left out of the matchday squad for Tuesday night’s victory over Tottenham as Calum McFarlane looked to manage his minutes.
While the 23-year-old has impressed since making his return to the pitch, Standard Sport understands he will not join England’s squad for this summer’s World Cup in the United States.
Palmer, meanwhile, has struggled for form this season, thanks in part to niggling injuries which held him back for much of the campaign. He has come up with just 13 goal contributions in 33 appearances across all competitions.
Levi Colwill last appeared for England in June 2025
Debate had raged for some time as to which of England’s talented No10s would win over Tuchel, but Palmer, scorer of a last-gasp equaliser in 2024’s Euros final, will not be the chosen man. Morgan Rogers and Morgan Gibbs-White may get the nod in his absence.
Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton has enjoyed a stellar campaign, but is also expected to be left out.
The news of Colwill’s exclusion comes after it was revealed Manchester United pair Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw were both set to be left at home, a decision the former said left him “shocked and gutted.”
Colwill has just five senior England caps to his name, while Palmer, who played for the Three Lions as recently as March, has tallied 14.
Cole Palmer played for England in the March international break
Tuchel’s squad for the summer will be confirmed on Friday, May 22.
It remains to be seen whether Tuchel will bring Colwill’s team-mate Trevoh Chalobah along, after describing him as “slightly ahead of” Maguire in his centre-back rankings in March.
Maguire left 'gutted' as Man Utd star handed shock World Cup snub
Every confirmed World Cup 2026 squad and expected release dates
Trent in, no Foden: Standard Sport writers pick England's World Cup squad
Winter escapes and activities to end the year in style
England are grouped alongside Croatia, Ghana and Panama at this expanded World Cup, and will stage pre-tournament friendlies against New Zealand and Panama in Florida.