England’s preparations for their final 2026 World Cup qualifier have taken a setback as Marc Guehi has withdrawn from the squad due to a foot injury. The Crystal Palace defender, who has been a growing presence in England’s backline, will now return to his club to continue rehabilitation.
Guehi, 25, sustained the injury during Crystal Palace’s Conference League match against AZ Alkmaar last week. The defender suffered what has been described as a heavy bone bruise, leaving him temporarily “unable to walk” in the days following the European fixture. His absence from Palace’s 0-0 Premier League draw against Brighton last Sunday was the first indication of the injury’s severity.
Despite the setback, Guehi still reported for international duty earlier in the week, joining up with Thomas Tuchel’s England squad at St George’s Park. The coaching staff monitored his progress closely, hoping he might recover in time for the national team’s crucial fixtures. However, after further assessment, it became clear that the centre-back would not be fit to feature in either of England’s November matches.
Guehi was already omitted from the matchday squad for England’s 2-0 win over Serbia on Thursday, a victory that maintained England’s flawless record in Group K. The defender will also miss the upcoming trip to Tirana, where England conclude their qualifiers against Albania.
The Three Lions have enjoyed a highly successful qualifying campaign, winning all seven matches so far and securing their place at next summer’s World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. Tuchel, who has guided England through the campaign with impressive consistency, will now proceed with a 24-man squad for Sunday’s match.
For Guehi, the withdrawal comes at a frustrating time. The Palace captain has been one of the most consistent defenders in the Premier League over the past two seasons and has increasingly established himself as a reliable option for England. His calm distribution, aerial strength, and leadership qualities have made him a significant part of the national team setup as Tuchel looks to build depth ahead of the tournament.
Crystal Palace will now oversee his recovery as they deal with the defensive void left by their star centre-back. Palace have struggled with injuries throughout the campaign, and losing Guehi—who is central to their structure—adds to manager Oliver Glasner’s ongoing challenges. The club will be hoping that the injury is short-term and that Guehi can return to training soon, with Premier League fixtures and European commitments continuing to pile up.
England, meanwhile, remain well-equipped for the Albania match despite Guehi’s absence. Tuchel has several defensive options, including John Stones, Levi Colwill, Fikayo Tomori, and Jarrad Branthwaite. The manager has emphasised depth and rotation throughout qualifying, ensuring that injuries like Guehi’s do not derail team momentum.
While Guehi’s injury is not expected to threaten his participation in next summer’s World Cup, both player and club will take precautions over the next few weeks. A heavy bone bruise can be unpredictable in recovery time, and rushing a return could risk further complications. With Palace competing on multiple fronts and England already assured of qualification, the decision to send Guehi home is seen as a sensible, long-term move.
As England continue preparations for the World Cup, maintaining squad health will remain a top priority. Guehi’s setback is a reminder of the physical demands placed on modern footballers, especially those balancing domestic and European commitments.
For now, England move forward without him, while Crystal Palace wait anxiously for their defensive leader to regain full fitness.
