FA Cup final could be Cole Palmer and Phil Foden battle for World Cup spot with England as Chelsea and Manchester City lock horns

Chelsea and Manchester City will battle for the prized FA Cup trophy at Wembley Stadium today, live on talkSPORT.

Silverware is up for grabs but for Cole Palmer and Phil Foden, it could also be a day that decides who goes to the World Cup with England.

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The end of the 2025/26 domestic season is almost upon us, with the FA Cup final seeing two of the country’s giants going toe to toe.

Chelsea, who are managed by interim head coach Calum McFarlane, can somewhat salvage their poor season with victory under the arch.

City on the other hand have already won a trophy at Wembley this season as they beat Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final on March 22.

Saturday’s match comes less than a month before the 2026 World Cup gets underway, when Mexico face South Africa on June 11.

England will name their 26-man squad for the summer tournament on May 22, although Palmer and Foden are not certain to be selected.

Both players have been shadows of their usual selves this season, but the FA Cup final offers them the chance to change their fortunes.

Cole and his World Cup goal

Palmer starred throughout much of his first two seasons at Chelsea after his £40million move from City with 45 goals and 29 assists.

However, the 24-year-old has bagged just 13 goal contributions this season, with his last strike coming against Aston Villa on March 4.

Whilst he has dealt with injuries, Palmer’s drop in form has raised doubts over his chances of representing England on the world stage.

Speaking on Kick Off, former Wales international Ashley Williams assessed Chelsea’s hopes of victory and what’s in store for Palmer.

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“I can’t see them beating them, no, I’ll be honest,” he told talkSPORT. “It’s on Manchester City, so if Manchester City play to their potential, Chelsea don’t get near them, they have to have an off day.

“It would be nice to see Cole Palmer have a really good game. I think, just as a fan of him as a player, on that stage, against his old team.

“I’m sure he’ll be up for it, it’ll be nice to see him play well, but I just don’t see Chelsea… they looked a little bit better against Liverpool.

“But even so, if they play like that, I think Manchester City will pick them apart.”

When asked if Palmer is at risk of missing out on the England squad, Williams replied: “I think he’s in a little bit of danger.

“For me, personally, I would take him because he’s a big game player, you’d want him there just in case with the quality that he’s got.

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“But, with Thomas Tuchel (head coach), I think that he is in a little bit of danger.

“I think he still goes, but it wouldn’t surprise me if his name wasn’t on the list.”

Will Phil fit the bill?

Foden was named as the Manchester City and Premier League Player of the Season just two years ago, with 40 goal contributions in total.

His tally halved last season and he’s on 17 this time around in a decline that has raised eyebrows given the talent he previously displayed.

He played for England at the 2022 World Cup, and former City star Paul Dickov hopes to see Foden represent them again this summer.

“I don’t know about that,” he said on Breakfast when asked if Foden has to start in the FA Cup final to make the England squad.

“I’m a huge fan of Phil, delighted to see him back to near his best the other night (in the 3-0 win against Crystal Palace).

“I think going to the World Cup is not going to just be down to one game, whether he starts the FA Cup (final) or not. You’d like to think that Thomas Tuchel has got his mind made up already.

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“But I would love to see Phil there. I think if you’re an Englishman, Phil Foden is one of the true world-class players on form that you’ve got in there, that can change a game.

“I think if you’re Harry Kane, you’re wanting Phil Foden to be in top form as well, the spaces he gets into and the vision he’s got. So, I would love to see him go there.

“It’s not just the FA Cup final, they’ve got a game against Bournemouth and then the game against Villa as well so, you’d like to think he’ll get some more minutes in before the end of the season.”