Harvey Barnes to miss 2026 World Cup as Newcastle star at centre of bombshell update
Harvey Barnes is set to suffer World Cup heartbreak despite his fantastic form at Newcastle United this season.
With Anthony Gordon struggling at St James’ Park, the 28-year-old has become the main man in the final third for Eddie Howe, notching 12 goals and two assists in 39 appearances across all competitions.
It has been a frustrating season for the Magpies, with Howe under growing pressure as Newcastle boss, slipping down to 10th in the Premier League table and 12th in the Champions League.
There are very few moments of relief in the North East so far this season, but Barnes is certainly one of the players who can hold their head up, leaving absolutely everything out on the pitch.
Thomas Tuchel already has his favourite for the England squad
And despite all of his efforts at St James’ Park, racking up 26 goals and nine assists since arriving from Leicester City in 2023, he still only has one England cap to his name.
That dates all the way back to 2020, when he made an appearance in a friendly fixture with Wales under Gareth Southgate, and continues to be left out of the set-up by Thomas Tuchel.
The current boss has made it abundantly clear that he has favourites, which is why it was such a surprise to see Elliot Anderson make an England breakthrough ahead of the World Cup.
Although the left-wing spot appears to be relatively open, with Eberechi Eze, Marcus Rashford and Gordon the last three players to feature in the position, a late call-up almost feels impossible.
Harvey Barnes has made a huge decision ahead of the World Cup
There was talk that Barnes could possibly switch allegiances to Scotland, with head coach Steve Clarke being quizzed during each international break, but any chances of that have now been squashed.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, transcribed by Daily Record (12 February), Clarke revealed: “This time I can say for sure, Harvey’s going to concentrate on trying to play for England, he’s not going to come to Scotland.”
Now that joining up with the Scots has been ruled out, it feels like an impossible task for the Newcastle winger to sway Tuchel’s thinking this close to the World Cup, which only means one thing.
That one thing is that Barnes is likely to be watching from the sofa, as the Three Lions take on Croatia, Ghana and Panama in the World Cup group stages later this year.