"May as well book his holiday for the summer" - Wayne Rooney names one England star who will not make the 2026 FIFA World Cup squad

Wayne Rooney believes Jack Grealish will not make it to England's squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He pointed out that the Manchester City star didn't get called up despite Anthony Gordon's absence this month.

Grealish hasn't featured for the Three Lions since Thomas Tuchel's appointment. He was last in the squad in October 2024 for their UEFA Nations League campaign. The winger had been dealing with poor form, which eventually led to him joining Everton from Manchester City on loan in the summer.

However, Tuchel didn't call up Grealish in either of the three international camps this season. Anthony Gordon missed out this month due to an injury, but the former Aston Villa star was still not called up. Wayne Rooney believes this marks the end of chances for Grealish to feature in England's 2026 FIFA World Cup squad.

"Jack Grealish may as well book his holiday for the summer now because he’s not getting in the squad," he said on The Wayne Rooney Show. "You think Andy Gordon dropped out and he still doesn’t get called into it, so I think Thomas Tuchel is quite set."

Grealish has scored one goal and provided four assists in 12 games across competitions during his loan stint at Everton.

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Wayne Rooney explains missed chance for England and Thomas Tuchel this month

The Three Lions beat Serbia 2-0 at Wembley Stadium in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers on Thursday, November 13. England have already qualified for the tournament next season. Hence, Wayne Rooney believes that head coach Thomas Tuchel could have used this opportunity to rest Harry Kane and try other strikers.

The Manchester United legend said:

"I think this international break was the perfect opportunity just to say to Harry Kane, ‘Go and have a week’s holiday’. He doesn’t need to be there. He’d want to be there but you need to take that option away from him and then it’s an opportunity for Thomas Tuchel to look at players and see what they can do."

Kane, 32, is England's captain and arguably their best player. He is also their all-time top scorer with 76 goals and 19 assists in 111 games across competitions. Thomas Tuchel has also previously called up the likes of Ollie Watkins in his squad.

The Three Lions, meanwhile, will next face Albania away in their final World Cup Qualifier game on Sunday, November 16.

Edited by Aditya Singh