Marcus Rashford thanks coaches after England World Cup squad return
Marcus Rashford has been named in England's 2026 World Cup squad, crediting Unai Emery and Hansi Flick for supporting his resurgence after a difficult period.
Photo: goal.com
Marcus Rashford has been named in the England squad for the 2026 World Cup. The forward's selection marks a significant comeback after he was left out of the Euro 2024 group, a disappointment he cited as a major catalyst for his professional and personal growth.
In a social media statement, Rashford expressed his gratitude to Unai Emery, Hansi Flick, and Thomas Tuchel for their support during his "tough" times. Notably, the forward omitted any mention of Manchester United, his parent club before his loan moves to Barcelona and Aston Villa.
Today marks a full-circle moment for me, from despair to jubilation. Thank you so much for this opportunity, and I can’t wait to pull on the shirt at the World Cup. Marcus Rashford
Rashford’s resurgence followed a productive period at Barcelona, where he recorded 14 goals and 14 assists this season. He also spent the latter half of the 2024-25 campaign at Aston Villa, contributing four goals in 17 appearances.
The England squad, managed by Thomas Tuchel, features several surprise omissions, including Harry Maguire, Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, and Trent Alexander-Arnold. The Three Lions are scheduled to begin their tournament campaign on June 17 with a Group L match against Croatia.