Thomas Tuchel drops big names from England's World Cup squad

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Big names were left out of England’s World Cup squad on Friday, with Phil Foden and Cole Palmer the most notable omissions from Thomas Tuchel’s roster.

There was no place either for Real Madrid defender Trent Alexander-Arnold or Manchester United duo Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw.

Maguire confirmed on Thursday he would not be going to the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, saying he was “shocked and gutted” not to be included. There were further shock waves among England fans when it became clear that more Premier League stars had been dropped.

“It has been a tough process to decide on the nomination, but I have full belief in this group of players,” said England coach Tuchel. “They all deserve their place. The squad and everyone involved with the team will give all we can to make the country proud... we hope for a very special summer.”

Manchester City forward Foden was the double player of the year in England just two years ago. Chelsea's Palmer was one of England's star players at the European Championship in 2024 — scoring in the final against Spain.

But both players endured disappointing seasons with their clubs and ultimately paid the price by failing to make the cut for Tuchel's 26-man squad.

England's top players — Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice — were all included.

A surprise inclusion was Ivan Toney, who has only played once for his country since moving to the Saudi league after Euro 2024.

Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has also been included after making a late run in the second half of the season.

Mainoo had been an emerging figure at the Euros, but lost his England place after being pushed to the fringes at United under former coach Ruben Amorim. He was reinstated to the first team when Michael Carrick took over in January and has been a driving force in United's rise to third in the Premier League, which has secured a return to the Champions League.

Arsenal's Premier League title winners Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke will be going to their first World Cup and Marcus Rashford — dropped from Euro 2024 — is going to another major international tournament after rebuilding his career at Barcelona this season.

Foden has been regularly selected by Tuchel since the German coach took charge of England in January 2025 and his most recent appearances came during the last international window in March.

He started every game on England's run to the final of the last Euros, which it lost 2-1 to Spain.

But he has rarely started for City since the turn of the year as his form has dipped and he was a non-playing substitute in last week's FA Cup final victory.

Palmer, who was the young player of the year in England in 2024 and inspired Chelsea to triumph the Club World Cup last year, was seen as one of the country's brightest stars. Like Foden, he has also struggled for consistency this season and hasn't scored in his last 14 games for club and country.

England World Cup squad:

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford, James Trafford

Defenders: Dan Burn, Marc Guehi, Reece James, Ezri Konsa, Tino Livramento, Nico O’Reilly, Jarell Quansah, Djed Spence, John Stones

Midfielders: Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Eberechi Eze, Jordan Henderson, Kobbie Mainoo, Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers

Forwards: Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane, Noni Madueke, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins

James Robson is at https://x.com/jamesalanrobson

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

FILE -England's head coach Thomas Tuchel looks on before the start of the International friendly soccer match between England and Japan in London, March 31, 2026 . (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)

Chelsea's Cole Palmer wipes his nose during the English FA Cup final soccer match between Chelsea and Manchester City in London, Saturday, May 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Richard Pelham)

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — There is a giant stew pot in a small lake in the center of The Hague.

Floating in the water in front of the prestigious Mauritshuis museum, home to the “Girl with a Pearl Earring,” the 7-meter (23-foot)-tall pan is part of monthlong, open-air art exhibition. The BlowUp Jubilee features 24 inflatable artworks installed in parks, on buildings and even in a train station in the Dutch city

The project is the brainchild of curator Mary Hessing. “What I really wanted to do is show the area and show arts to everybody," she told The Associated Press.

In 2021, the Dutch government began a massive renovation project on the Binnenhof complex, which includes the Mauritshuis as well as the Parliament building. The historic site, which dates to the 13th century, was closed to the public and the city wanted to organize art events while it was inaccessible.

The first BlowUp Art exhibition in 2022 included works from six artists, installed near the Binnenhof. Subsequent events also showcased a handful of inflatable works, but for the 2026 jubilee edition, all of the previous installations have returned plus new ones have been added.

“For me it was important to show the real Curacao in this artwork, and that is our parties, our food, and our lifestyle,” artist Eugenie Boon told AP. The 21-year-old is from the former Dutch Caribbean colony and her work, Koncha pa dilanti, referring to a board game played on the island, features scenes from local life.

British artist Steve Messam is known for his large-scale inflatable works that have been installed in locations in the United Kingdom, China and The Hague. Crested, a mass of red spikes, has been affixed on top of the entrance to a parking garage nestled between 100-year-old buildings on a tree-lined boulevard.

“The idea was that this piece would hold its own amongst this wonderful architecture that we see around us,” he said.

BlowUp Jubilee runs until June 21.

Peope walk by an art installation titled Koncha pa dilanti by Eugenie Boon as part of the BlowUp Jubilee Art walk in the Hague, Netherlands, Thursday, May 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Patrick Post)

A tram passes by an art installation titled Crested by Steve Messam as part of the BlowUp Jubilee Art walk in the Hague, Netherlands, Thursday, May 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Patrick Post)

A woman takes a selfie in front of an art installation titled Like a pan in the water by Studio Job as part of the BlowUp Jubilee Art walk in the Hague, Netherlands, Thursday, May 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Patrick Post)