England may have punched their ticket to the 2026 World Cup, but not everyone is convinced they’re ready to lift the trophy. Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has delivered a stark warning, claiming the Three Lions have “virtually no chance” of winning the tournament without key stars Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, and Jack Grealish. His comments come amid controversial squad decisions by head coach Thomas Tuchel that have raised eyebrows across the footballing world.
Scholes Slams Tuchel’s Omission of Key Players
Despite England cruising to a 5-0 victory over Latvia to officially qualify for the World Cup in North America, Scholes was left stunned by the absence of three of the country’s most dynamic talents. Speaking on The Overlap, Scholes said he was “baffled” by Tuchel’s decision to exclude Bellingham, Foden, and Grealish from the latest international squad.
“These three have to be in the squad,” Scholes insisted. “Without them, we have virtually no chance of winning the World Cup. Even with them, it’s still a tall order—but at least it’s possible.”
Scholes particularly questioned the omission of Bellingham, who recently returned to fitness. With limited opportunities remaining to build squad chemistry before the tournament, the former midfielder stressed the urgency of reintegrating these stars into the team.
Tuchel Responds to Selection Backlash
Tuchel, who took over as England manager earlier this year, defended his decisions during a recent press conference. He denied any personal issues with the players and reiterated his respect for their talent and contribution.
“This is the decision, whether they like it or not,” Tuchel said. “They know how much I appreciate them. Jude is a special player, and I see how good Phil is for City and how Jack is becoming the best version of himself.”
However, Tuchel maintained that his choices were tactical and not personal, hinting that the door remains open for all three stars ahead of the World Cup.
Carragher Backs Tuchel’s ‘Message to the Squad’
Not everyone disagreed with the England boss. Former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher believes Tuchel’s controversial omissions were deliberate—and strategic.
Speaking on The Overlap, Carragher said: “This is more like something you’d see from a club manager. Tuchel is sending a message—not just to Bellingham but to the whole squad. I don’t mind that at all.”
Carragher pointed out that England’s shaky start under Tuchel may have prompted the manager to assert his authority early on, reminding the squad that no spot is guaranteed.
A Critical Window Before the World Cup
With only a handful of international breaks remaining before the 2026 World Cup kicks off, the pressure is mounting for Tuchel to settle on a core group of players. For pundits like Scholes, leaving out world-class talent like Bellingham, Foden, and Grealish risks more than just squad morale—it could cost England their shot at glory.
“These are our best three players,” Scholes emphasized. “They have to be in the squad. It’s as simple as that.”
