Why Adam Wharton’s omission from England’s World Cup squad could come back to haunt Thomas Tuchel | OneFootball

When Thomas Tuchel announced his England squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, there were always going to be a few controversial decisions. 

England’s depth of talent means deserving players inevitably miss out. However, Adam Wharton’s omission is one that could come back to haunt Tuchel this summer.

Wharton delivered the perfect response to the massive disappointment of being left out of the squad, delivering a man-of-the-match performance in the Europa Conference League final just days after.

The 22-year-old helped Crystal Palace beat Rayo Vallecano 1-0 at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, helping the Eagles secure their first-ever European trophy.

Being at the heart of one of the biggest nights in Palace’s history would have softened the blow of sitting out the World Cup, but it’s still one of the most baffling decisions of the summer.

The fact that England’s midfield is crying out for a player of Wharton’s profile makes the decision even more surprising. He offers something different from England’s other options.

He has the vision to spot passes others do not see and the confidence to execute them with precision.

Even former England manager Glenn Hoddle was surprised by Wharton’s omission, admitting the midfielder’s unique ability to produce defence-splitting passes from deeper positions.

That could be invaluable for an England side that has notably struggled to break down low blocks and produce something out of the ordinary under Tuchel’s leadership.

Wharton may not have been a starter at the World Cup, but he’d have been a valuable ace for the former Chelsea manager to have up his sleeve.

Instead, Tuchel opted to call up Jordan Henderson for his experience. There is no questioning Henderson’s leadership qualities or his service to England over the years.

His influence in the dressing room could come in handy during the World Cup, but dropping Wharton for a 35-year-old who’s at the tail end of his career doesn’t speak well of Tuchel’s ambitions.

For a nation hoping to end their 60-year wait for the World Cup title, England need more game-changers than dressing-room “hypemen”.

Henderson has nothing to show for all his “experience” in an England shirt, but Wharton’s skillset could easily be the difference between success and failure.

Tuchel is an old-fashioned head coach who believes experience is the safer option, but ditching a talent who is in the form of his life could come back to haunt him at the World Cup.