LONDON – Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden is not guaranteed a place in England’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, England manager Thomas Tuchel said.

The 25-year-old, who has earned 49 senior caps, has struggled with form and has started only four of Manchester City’s last 15 games. His last Premier League goal came on December 14.

“It's not a guarantee that he will come,” Tuchel said after Foden was substituted in the second half of England’s 1-0 loss to Japan at Wembley on Tuesday.

“Obviously he didn’t have a lot of minutes for City recently, then he came to camp with the brightest smile and was so good in training,” Tuchel added. “I thought he would surprise us and play with the same verve and excitement, but he struggles to have the full impact.”

With striker and captain Harry Kane sidelined by injury, Foden, the 2024 Premier League Player of the Season, was given a central role at Wembley. However, he looked unconvincing as a false nine and recorded the fewest touches of any England starter.

“If we put offensive players on the pitch, we demand offensive actions—creativity, dribbling, shots, and assists—and we clearly didn’t have enough,” Tuchel said of England’s performance.

Tuchel must submit his final World Cup squad for the United States, Canada, and Mexico by the end of May.

-Reporting by Alan Baldwin; Editing by Toby Davis/Reuters