World Cup 2026 - England: Cole Palmer finally addresses his absence

To everyone's great surprise, Cole Palmer was not called up to play for England at the 2026 World Cup.

This decision, concerning the Chelsea player who finished 8th in the last Ballon d'Or rankings, inevitably sparked debate in England. Until now, Cole Palmer had remained silent about this disappointment, which he takes with a philosophical attitude. "I’m going to relax this summer, rest for the first time in three or four years, before getting back to what I love," he finally reacted.

In his interview with English outlet i-D, Cole Palmer said he understood his manager’s decision. "This season hasn’t been the best, but that’s just how it is. I’m not going to dwell on a decision that can’t be changed, and I hope the guys go all the way," he added. After two matches, England have 4 points and are on track to reach the round of 16, with a match against Panama still to come this Saturday.

Joshua SOSSOU

Editorfr, en, ar

As a sports fan, and particularly a football fan, I've been putting my writing talent to good use for a number of years now to promote African talent and the continent's football in general. On Foot Africa, enjoy reading each of my lines.

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