Marc Guehi has pulled out of the England squad ahead of the Three Lions’ final 2026 World Cup qualifier against Albania.
The centre-back picked up a painful ankle injury during Crystal Palace’s Conference League win over AZ Alkmaar last week, which left the player on crutches.
Guehi subsequently missed the goalless draw against Brighton within the Premier League and it was expected that he would pull out of England duty for the November international break.
Yet, he remained, with Thomas Tuchel wanting to maintain hold of the Palace captain who’s an influential member of the England dressing room.
And while he missed Thursday’s 2-0 win over Serbia, the Three Lions boss was hopeful that the 25-year-old could feature against Albania, but that won’t be the case.
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Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi has left the England camp and won’t travel to Albania for Sunday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier,’ an announcement read on Friday.
‘The defender joined up with the Three Lions at Tottenham Hotspur’s training ground earlier this week but has returned to his club to proceed his rehabilitation.
‘Thomas Tuchel will prepare for the trip to Tirana with a squad of 24.’
No further details on Guehi’s fitness have been released though it was reported a couple of days ago that while he is not any longer on crutches, he has been unable to take part in training.
That does appear to spell bad news for Palace ahead of a really busy winter schedule that kicks-off on November 22 at Wolves.
Guehi is a key player in Oliver Glasner’s team, with only Arsenal and Manchester City boasting a greater defence than the Eagles within the Premier League.
Glasner will provide an update ahead of the Wolves game, but prior to the Serbia win, Tuchel said of the ankle injury is: ‘Very painful, but there is no such thing as a damage done.
‘No structural damage. It’s all in regards to the pain. If he shouldn’t be in training on Friday and never capable of train with us on Saturday, we won’t make him travel with us, then he can rest and get treatment in London.
‘It’s nice that he also wants to stick with us. We wanted him to remain close.
‘He’s one in all the leaders, a vital member of the team. He’s a vital glue for a lot of players. It’s nice to see that he tries every thing to be included within the second match.’
John Stones and Ezri Konsa began against Serbia, while Trevoh Chalobah and Jarell Quansah are the opposite centre-back options at Tuchel’s disposal.
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