James Maddison blow: Ipswich star more likely to be in England World Cup squad
James Maddison has been a microcosm of the overall season at Tottenham Hotspur – largely disappointing with a few glimmers of top quality.
That trend has continued with Ange Postecoglou‘s side and is the reason that while they occupy a lowly 14th position in the Premier League, they have a positive goal difference of 12 and were still the joint-second-highest scorers in the league prior to the midweek fixtures.
Maddison has looked excellent in spells, but has shouldered some of the fans’ blame and there have been too many frustrating moments from the playmaker for the liking of some.
Maddison in England squad blow
Maddison was left reeling last summer when Gareth Southgate snubbed him for the final England squad for Euro 2024.
The Tottenham ace had joined from Leicester City in 2023 not just in search of success and European competition but also to affirm his England position, but since the summer he has been cast aside on the international scene.
Just as Southgate cut him from the final Euros squad, Thomas Tuchel has also found no room for the 28-year-old, with the likes of Morgan Gibbs-White, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze preferred in the roster. Dominic Solanke was the sole Spurs player in the camp.
As shown via Oddschecker (1 April), bet365 have listed Maddison at odds of 5/1 to make the final squad for the 2026 World Cup in multiple nations across the Atlantic.
By comparison, Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap is at shorter odds of 3/1, alongside Ivan Toney despite his summer move to Saudi Arabia. Arsenal teenager Ethan Nwaneri is marketed at 7/4, with uncapped Borussia Dortmund youngster Jamie Gittens handed shorter odds than Maddison at 7/2.
Tottenham big names must be reliable next season
Tottenham Hotspur fans will apply even more pressure onto their team, management and board next season.
The Europa League is the last remaining barricade stopping a flood of vitriol towards the key figures at Spurs, of which we have regularly seen snippets throughout the season.
This term has been unacceptable for a club the size of Spurs, and the likes of Maddison know they must deliver next season. If restoring Tottenham back to its rightful competitive status is not motivation enough, then a place at the World Cup will be.
| James Maddison – England senior record | Total |
| Caps | 7 |
| Goals | 0 |
Son Heung-min, Solanke and Micky van de Ven will also hold plenty of accountability if next season starts poorly, while Cristian Romero may not even be a Lilywhite come August.
Maddison will take his recent England absence under the new manager as a wake-up call. We all know his capabilities – it’s up to he and his teammates to deliver them on a far more regular basis.