Credit: Imago / ITV

Harri Burton

Sat 28 March 2026 16:00, UK

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Phil Foden could be returning to Manchester City with a rather concerning injury after the England star was on the receiving end of a horror challenge.

Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions drew 1-1 against Uruguay on Friday, 27 March, with Ben White’s 81st-minute opener cancelled out by Fedi Valverde’s 94th-minute penalty.

Foden only lasted 55 minutes at Wembley Stadium, and the England head coach was absolutely raging when Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo ploughed into the attacking midfielder in the middle of the park.

Man City next face Liverpool in the FA Cup, but it remains to be seen if the academy graduate will be fit in time for the quarter-finals on Saturday, 4 April. It could have even bigger ramifications.

Phil Foden forced off in England clash with an injury

Keith Hackett told Football Insider that Araujo should have been sent off for his late foul on Foden, and the majority of those at Wembley shared the same opinion on Friday night.

Sadly for the 25-year-old, his hopes of getting on the plane to the 2026 World Cup could be totally over after struggling to shake off the challenge, being replaced by Cole Palmer in the 56th minute.

With so many players fighting for the same position, Foden has yet to impress Tuchel on the international stage, and his form back at Man City offers very little hope of a spot on England’s plane.

In fact, Football Insider understands that Foden is open to leaving Man City due to his lack of minutes in recent weeks, with concerns emerging over the playmaker possibly not signing a new contract.

Man City star could miss out on the 2026 World Cup

With the player falling down Pep Guardiola’s pecking order, and very few England games remaining until the World Cup kicks off, he might have missed his opportunity to impress.

That would be truly devastating for the 25-year-old, but Tuchel has a massive pool to choose from, and given the talent around him in the England camp, Foden could be the one who suffers.

If that were to be the case, he could have Araujo to blame for forcing him off early against Uruguay, with the defender not even receiving a caution for his disgraceful challenge.

Friendlies against Japan, New Zealand and Costa Rica could offer some salvation for the attacking midfielder, though it is unclear if he’ll be fit enough for the first of those three games.