PAUL SCHOLES has claimed England have “no chance” of winning the World Cup without Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish.
The trio were surprise omissions by Thomas Tuchel from his squad for recent internationals against Wales and Latvia.
England cruised to a 3-0 win over the Welsh before thumping Latvia 5-0 to seal their place at the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday night.
But fans were still scratching their heads over the absence of the three players, especially after strong starts to the season by Foden and Grealish.
Tuchel argued that Bellingham wasn’t fully fit yet after returning from a shoulder injury.
And Scholes said he was “surprised” Tuchel didn’t include the trio, saying they had to be on the plane for the tournament in US, Canada and Mexico if England wanted to lift the trophy.
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Speaking on The Overlap, via Sky Bet, he said: “I was a little bit surprised. Those three players especially, along with Adam Wharton, they have to be in his squad and they will be in his squad for the World Cup.
“If you look at the squad now, you would say they have virtually no chance of winning the World Cup.
“Even with those three players – and I think they’re three of England’s better players – it’s still a big ask but it gives you more of a chance of winning the cup with those players in.
“Jude Bellingham has missed a little bit of football but he’s fit now so I would have brought him back in.
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“Thomas Tuchel hasn’t got many games left now until the World Cup actually begins.
“It’s only the November break and then the March one and then we’re there so we need to get these players playing.”
Before the start of the international break, Tuchel was forced to defend his omissions of Bellingham, Foden and Grealish.
He insisted he had no problem with any of the players and that he simply wanted to keep a similar group together from the last camp.
Tuchel said at his press conference: “No. There is also no problem with Phil Foden or Jack Grealish either.”
While speaking to BBC Sport, he added: “This is the decision, if they like it or not.
“They know my appreciation, they know I clearly see and observe how good Phil is at the moment for Manchester City.
“Jack knows that I see how influential he is for Everton and is on the way to being the best version of himself.
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“Jude knows he is a special player. He knows that I know he is a special player.
“So, they have to accept it and nothing changes this decision against them or for the other players. It does not change my appreciation for their talent and personality.”
