England head coach Thomas Tuchel says Phil Foden has been “very impressive” in England’s final camp before the 2026 FIFA World Cup after the out-of-form Manchester City midfielder started in the 1-1 home draw with Uruguay on Friday.
An England debutant in 2020, Foden was named Premier League Player of the Season in 2024 but had a comparatively poor 2024/25 campaign and has been increasingly peripheral for City since January.
“It was very easy,” Tuchel said when he was asked about managing a potential lack of confidence from Foden.
It had to be Ben White ⚽️
England take the lead v Uruguay 🏴🇺🇾@England | @ben6white pic.twitter.com/vZENV2tiMy
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) March 27, 2026
“Phil came with a big smile and was around everyone. He was so good in training and was involved with everyone – not only the guys he is used to, but the new guys – and was very impressive.
“We could clearly see that he liked coming and enjoyed the days. He did well.”
Why did Phil Foden start in England vs Uruguay?
Tuchel said that Foden had started as part of an attempt to combat Uruguay’s rotating midfield three.
The German was enraged when Foden was scythed down in an ugly challenge by Uruguay defender Ronald Araujo early in the second half, causing the playmaker to be substituted shortly afterwards.
“We needed a very solid and tactically smart performance in midfield,” explained Tuchel. “That was when Phil came into play, because he was outstanding in the defensive patterns in training.
VALVERDE EQUALIZES IN STOPPAGE TIME! 🇺🇾
Ben White deemed to have fouled Federico Vinas after a VAR check by the referee 😲 pic.twitter.com/LS8R6M12Hd
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) March 27, 2026
“He’s played many times now in the number eight position for City and he’s played with a lot of responsibility in that position, as he did today.
“In moments, I thought he could have been a bit more adventurous; more like a number 10, trying more stuff and taking more risks.
“I felt him getting stronger. He can make the difference if the game opens up in the second half. Then he got this brutal tackle against him.
“But I liked him because he did well against the ball and initiated the press. He played with a lot of responsibility and was good.”
Will Phil Foden go to the 2026 World Cup?
Having first featured for England at a major tournament at EURO 2020, Foden started England’s last three matches at the 2022 World Cup and contributed a goal and two assists.
Now 25, he started all seven of England’s matches on their run to the EURO 2024 final but his selection against Uruguay marked his first international start in more than a year.
Tuchel’s decision and appraisal appears to strengthen Foden’s chances of making England’s squad for the finals, with their campaign starting against Croatia on June 17 (21:00 BST).
Here’s a look at some of Foden’s key stats for City this season.
| Competition | Matches | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 26 | 7 | 3 |
| Champions League | 7 | 2 | 1 |
| FA Cup | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| EFL Cup | 6 | 1 | 1 |
Harry Kane pretenders: Tuchel backs Solanke, Calvert-Lewin
Tuchel played down talk that he may not take a back-up for striker Harry Kane to the finals.
Tottenham forward Dominic Solanke made a surprise start against Uruguay, with Leeds United counterpart Dominic Calvert-Lewin sending a presentable chance wide with a late header.
“I liked the effort from Dom Solanke,” reflected Tuchel. “He worked his socks off, he worked like a dog. He was our first defender, initiated the press and made a lot of sprints.
“Dom Calvert-Lewin took a little bit to get the press right and to play with the same intensity. Then he had a big chance, and he’s upset with himself because it was a chance made for him.
“On his head, [about] six metres out, it’s normally a clear goal. He could have made a statement straight away but Dom was always available through the middle.
“We wanted to play a little bit more through the middle in the second half and he did quite well.”
England vs Uruguay: White drama enlivens forgettable friendly
Ben White put England ahead and conceded the decisive penalty as the Three Lions shared an uneventful draw with arguably the toughest opponents they have faced since Tuchel began his role at the start of 2025.
White, whose England career had been on hold after the Arsenal full-back left a camp following a disagreement with then-assistant manager Steve Holland in 2021, prodded in from close range with nine minutes remaining, the goal confirmed after a Video Assistant Referee check.
Another review ended in White being adjudged to have impeded Federico Vinas inside the home penalty area during second-half added time, allowing Federico Valverde to emphatically convert the 94th-minute equaliser.
England are next in action against Japan in a friendly at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday (19:45 BST). Uruguay, who have also qualified for the finals, meet Algeria in Turin on the same day (19:30).
