Cole Palmer is facing a challenging road to inclusion in England’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, with injuries and intense competition in his favoured number 10 role complicating his chances. The Chelsea midfielder and former Fifa Best XI nominee remains a potential X-factor for England, but his limited playing time this season has left head coach Thomas Tuchel with difficult decisions ahead.

Palmer’s Recent Form and Injury Challenges

Palmer played 58 minutes in Chelsea’s 2-0 victory over Everton last weekend, scoring his first Premier League goal since September. The 21-year-old’s limited minutes this season are due to a lingering groin injury, making the Everton match only his fourth Premier League start of 2025-26.

Tuchel has only seen Palmer for 64 minutes in England duty, during a World Cup qualifier win against Andorra in June. Managing Palmer’s injury carefully, Chelsea are likely to play him only once a week until March, when England face Uruguay and Japan in final friendlies before Tuchel finalises his World Cup squad.

“He needs a couple of things to go his way,” said former England defender Matthew Upson, noting that Palmer faces “a big hill to climb” to earn selection.

High-Level Competition in the Number 10 Role

Even if Palmer returns fully fit, he must overcome stiff competition for the England number 10 position. Key rivals include:

• Jude Bellingham – Despite his talent, Bellingham’s place is under scrutiny due to Morgan Rogers’ emergence.
• Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa) – Flourishing in Tuchel’s system, scoring five goals in 16 starts this season.
• Phil Foden, Eberechi Eze, and Morgan Gibbs-White – All staking claims for midfield and attacking roles.

Upson highlighted that Rogers’ breakthrough has made Bellingham’s starting spot a “live topic of conversation,” further complicating Palmer’s path to selection.

Palmer’s X-Factor Qualities

Former Chelsea and Scotland winger Pat Nevin emphasised Palmer’s natural talent and composure under pressure:

“He doesn’t think. He just does what he does. He’s not going to tighten up.”

Palmer demonstrated his big-stage ability at Euro 2024, scoring England’s equaliser in the final against Spain and assisting Ollie Watkins’ winner against the Netherlands in the semi-final.

Nevin added that Palmer’s apparent casual style masks world-class competitiveness:

“He looks like he just cruises along, but look at his numbers, his impact. He’s brilliant in tight spaces and can create opportunities where there seems to be none. At his best, he is world class.”

The Road Ahead

For Palmer to secure a place in England’s World Cup 2026 squad, he must:

1. Regain full fitness and maintain match sharpness for Chelsea.
2. Produce a sustained period of top-level performance between now and March.
3. Outshine rivals in England’s limited preparation windows, proving he can deliver creativity and goal threat under pressure.

Nevin remains confident that, if Palmer achieves these conditions, Tuchel will include him in the squad:

“I can’t imagine Tuchel not taking him if he puts together a two or three-month period at his best.”

Palmer’s blend of dribbling, vision, and composure makes him one of England’s most intriguing talents. The coming months will determine whether he turns potential into a World Cup starting role.