Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden traded football for tennis on Saturday as he made a high-profile appearance in the Royal Box at Wimbledon while England continue their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign without him.

The 26-year-old was among several sporting stars in attendance at Centre Court, where he was seated alongside Dutch legend Marco van Basten.

Phil Foden enjoys Wimbledon day out

Foden appeared relaxed as he chatted with Van Basten throughout the day’s play, with both receiving a standing ovation from the Centre Court crowd.

Also present in the Royal Box were former England manager Sir Gareth Southgate, Lionesses trio Ella Toone, Alex Greenwood and Michelle Agyemang, as well as Olympic cycling great Sir Chris Hoy.

The unexpected pairing of Foden and Van Basten quickly caught fans’ attention on social media

Why is Phil Foden not at the World Cup?

Foden was one of the biggest names left out of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after an underwhelming 2025-26 campaign.

Despite helping Manchester City win the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, the attacking midfielder managed 17 combined goals and assists across all competitions and was overlooked in favour of other attacking options.

Tuchel instead selected players such as Bukayo Saka, Anthony Gordon, Marcus Rashford and Noni Madueke, while Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze also earned places in the squad.

PFA says Foden is a ‘victim’ of football’s schedule

Earlier this year, Professional Footballers’ Association chief executive Maheta Molango argued that Foden’s dip in form was partly the result of football’s increasingly congested calendar.

Molango described the England international as a “victim” of the packed fixture schedule, suggesting the heavy workload had affected both his availability and performances.

He also warned that the expanding international calendar risks reducing the quality of football and increasing the likelihood of player burnout.

England prepare for Mexico clash

While Foden enjoyed a day at SW19, England’s attention remains firmly on the World Cup, with Tuchel’s side preparing for a Round of 16 clash against Mexico.

The midfielder, who has earned 49 senior England caps, will instead watch from home after missing out on a place in the Three Lions squad for the first time in three major tournaments.