Phil Foden has temporarily left the England camp at Euro 2024 and returned to the United Kingdom due to an urgent family matter.
The Manchester City midfielder started all three of England’s group games at the tournament, as the Three Lions progressed to the knockout rounds as Group C winners.
A statement from the FA has confirmed that a family matter has seen Foden return to the UK, believed to be the birth of his third child. England are hopeful the 23-year-old will be back and available for Sunday’s Round of 16 clash against the third-place team from either Group D, E, or F in Gelsenkirchen.
Foden was named as the Premier League Player of the Season and FWA Footballer of the Year for 2023-24 after a career-best campaign with the Citizens. He scored 27 goals and provided 12 assists in all competitions, as Pep Guardiola’s side won a record-breaking fourth Premier League title in a row.
The midfielder is yet to make an impression at this summer’s tournament, however, having been used in an unfavored left-wing role by Gareth Southgate. England have scored just two goals from their three fixtures to date, in an unconvincing campaign.
