Football
Phil Foden departs from the England squad for Euro 2024 and heads back to the United Kingdom.
Due to an urgent family matter, Phil Foden has temporarily left England’s European Championship camp, the Football Association (FA) announced on Wednesday.
The FA stressed that the Manchester City player’s departure is temporary even though no specifics were given.
This suggests that Foden might be able to make a comeback to the team in Germany before England’s round-of-16 match on Sunday in Gelsenkirchen.
This incident is reminiscent of one that occurred during the 2022 World Cup, when Raheem Sterling, a forward for Chelsea, had to fly home after his home was broken into.
Sterling made a comeback in time to substitute himself in the second half of the quarterfinal matchup against France.
The 24-year-old Foden has been an important member of the England team, starting each of their three group-stage games in Germany.
During England’s 0-0 draw with Slovenia in Cologne on Tuesday, he received support from his family. Foden, who plays on the left side of an attacking midfield trio behind central striker Harry Kane, has been an essential member of Gareth Southgate’s team.
The gifted midfield player, who received 42 percent of the vote and helped Manchester City win the Premier League for the fourth time in a row, was recently named the Football Writers’ Association (FWA) Player of the Year for the 2023–2024 campaign.
Foden has four goals in his 37 caps for England. As England gets ready for the tournament’s knockout stages, many will be eager to see him back in the squad.