Credit: Imago

Oliver Walton

Thu 28 May 2026 9:04, UK

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Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton has just shown exactly why he should have been included in England’s World Cup squad during the Conference League final.

Wharton played the full 95 minutes as Palace won their third trophy in the last 12 months with a 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano.

He has been key to the Eagles’ success under Oliver Glasner and is attracting attention from some huge clubs ahead of a summer in which he could be tempted away from Selhurst Park.

Despite Wharton’s impressive form all season long, Thomas Tuchel has controversially decided not to include him in England’s final 26-man squad for this summer’s World Cup.

Tuchel has been left with egg on his face after the 22-year-old put in one of the finest performances of his short career so far in Leipzig on Wednesday.

Adam Wharton proved why he should have gone to the World Cup against Rayo Vallecano

Tuchel has included Jordan Henderson and Kobbie Mainoo in his WC squad ahead of Wharton, with many annoyed at the Brentford man going to the tournament ahead of him, in particular.

Wharton will have felt like he did enough to be included before the squad was named, and he proved exactly why Tuchel made a mistake not to take him against Rayo.

The 22-year-old dictated play throughout and seemed to ghost past Vallecano midfielders with ease, as he created the biggest chance of the clash by setting Tyrick Mitchell up with a delightful chipped pass before the full-back headed wide.

He played a key role in their winner, by taking on a shot from long range that the Rayo keeper could only parry out to Jean-Philippe Mateta as he tapped home into an open net.

Wharton simply looked a class above every other player on the pitch, including his teammates, and was rightly named as UEFA’s Man of the Match following the final win.

It seems ludicrous that a player of his quality can perform under such high pressure at just 22-years-old, but not be going to a World Cup with England.

What did Glenn Hoddle say about Wharton not going to the World Cup?

Sources have told Football Insider that Liverpool are planning to move for Wharton this summer, but Palace are not set to allow him to leave without demanding a hefty fee.

Adam Wharton responded to missing out on England's World Cup squad by winning Player of the Match in a European final 🔥 pic.twitter.com/UjN23kijl0

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 27, 2026

They will likely have wanted him to go to the World Cup to possibly raise his price tag with some strong showings, but the 22-year-old will instead have the summer off to decide his next move.

Tuchel’s decision to leave him out of his squad was also questioned by former England boss Hoddle live on TNT Sports after Wednesday’s final.

He said: “He made a terrific contribution to the goal, and is a player who I think sees passes that nobody else in our (England’s) squad can see.

“This lad can play football. Whether he has the bottle to do it in an England shirt at the World Cup, you have to take it to the next level, but he’s not been given a chance to.

“I think he should have gone. I would have had him in the squad, because I think if there is a game where you need someone to unlock the door, he has got that ability.”