Jack Grealish Suffers Major Setback in Race to World Cup 2026
With the World Cup fast approaching, an untimely injury has cast serious doubt over one of England’s most debated names.
England’s Countdown Begins With Key Decisions Ahead
The 2026 World Cup is drawing closer with each passing day. Less than six months remain until kickoff at the Estadio Azteca, and England are widely seen as one of the contenders. Still, head coach Thomas Tuchel faces several crucial decisions as he shapes his final squad.
The remainder of the season will be decisive for players hoping to secure their place — and few situations are more complicated than that of Jack Grealish.
From Clear Objective to Growing Uncertainty
Grealish had made his intentions clear. The attacking midfielder left Manchester City, who signed him for £100 million in 2021, to join Everton in search of regular minutes and a return to England contention ahead of the World Cup.
That plan has now been thrown into doubt. Grealish has suffered a stress fracture in his foot, an injury that will rule him out for approximately 12 weeks, halting his momentum at the worst possible time.
Injury Strikes at the Worst Moment
The timing could hardly be more damaging. Tuchel had recently been seen in conversation with Grealish, a sign that the Everton midfielder was once again on the radar.
Now, Grealish will return with less than two months of competitive football left to convince the England coach that he deserves a place on the plane to 2026.
Strong Form Backing His Case
Before the setback, Grealish was enjoying an impressive season with the Toffees. He had registered six assists in the Premier League, ranking among the top three assist providers in the competition, behind only Bruno Fernandes (9) and Rayan Cherki (7).
His influence and consistency appeared to be rebuilding his case at exactly the right moment.
Fierce Competition in Tuchel’s System
Fitness is only part of the challenge. Grealish has not been called up since the October 2024 international window, when he scored against Finland, and he has yet to feature under Tuchel, who took charge in January 2025.
The competition is relentless. Tuchel has already tested Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, Eberechi Eze, Anthony Gordon, Phil Foden, Jarrod Bowen and Noni Madueke in similar roles. The England coach has also been clear that several high-profile players will miss out, as his vision prioritizes balance over pure attacking firepower.
Between the injury, limited time and an overcrowded talent pool, Jack Grealish’s road to the 2026 World Cup has become steeper than ever. His comeback may decide whether there is still room for a late surge — or if his World Cup dream is slipping away.
