Thomas Tuchel has named his England squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026, and the selections — and the omissions — have ignited fierce debate. Among those left out are Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, and Harry Maguire, three players many supporters would have considered certain starters before the squad was announced.

Wayne Rooney, speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC Radio 5 Live, made clear he does not agree with every one of Tuchel's decisions. Rooney stated he would have taken Maguire to the tournament, pushing back against the manager's call to leave the veteran centre-back at home.

The omission of Foden and Palmer is equally striking. Both players have been among the most creative forces in the Premier League in recent seasons, and their absence raises serious questions about England's attacking options on the biggest stage in international football.

Why Rooney backs Toney

Despite his reservations elsewhere, Rooney threw his full support behind the inclusion of Ivan Toney. His argument centres on a fundamental question about tournament football: does a side need a reliable goalscorer more than it needs flair?

Rooney's position suggests he believes the answer is yes — that the cut and thrust of a World Cup demands a striker who can be trusted to find the net in the moments that matter most, rather than a player who dazzles but may not deliver the decisive touch when it counts.

A bold call or a costly gamble?

Tuchel's squad has been described as ruthless, shaped by pragmatism rather than sentiment. England supporters have long called for a manager willing to make tough decisions and leave crowd favourites at home if they do not fit the system. Tuchel appears to have done precisely that.

Yet the absence of Foden and Palmer — two players capable of unlocking any defence in the world on their best days — leaves open the possibility that this squad, bold as it is, could lack the creative spark England need if games become tight and difficult to break down.

Whether Tuchel's selections represent the kind of hard-nosed thinking that wins World Cups, or an unnecessary gamble with England's best attacking talent, will only become clear when the tournament begins.