Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden took his mind off his World Cup omission by joining former England manager Gareth Southgate in the Royal Box at Wimbledon on Saturday.
Foden was overlooked by current Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel for this summer’s tournament after an indifferent season for his club. The 26-year-old struggled to nail down a spot in Pep Guardiola’s side and scored only seven league goals last season.
Foden, who was wearing a cream suit, was joined by his partner Rebecca Cooke fresh from their recent family trip to Disneyland.
Southgate was also in attendance for the opening match of the day on Centre Court, which saw Poland’s World No 3 Iga Swiatek take on rising star from the Phillipines Alexandra Eala.
The former England boss, who has made no secret of his attempts to keep a low-profile during the World Cup in order to avoid becoming a distraction to Tuchel’s men, was also wearing a cream suit but opted to pair it with a dark tie.
Southgate faced significant criticism for failing to make Foden fit into his system during his time in charge of England and the pair’s relationship appeared to deteriorate towards the end of his spell in charge of the national team.
Phil Foden was joined in the Royal Box by his long-term partner Rebecca Cooke
Former England boss Gareth Southgate was another guest at Wimbledon while his former England side prepare for their meeting with Mexico
Last year, Foden appeared to blame Southgate for his disappointing performances at Euro 2024, insisting he was unable to show his best form while being played out of position.
‘I feel frustrated I didn’t get out what I wanted to get out of it,’ Foden admitted to the Manchester Evening News. ‘The position I was put in on the left was very difficult to influence the game.
‘Coming off last season being the best player in the Premier League and playing centre midfield, I do feel the position was quite difficult to get used to.
‘I’m one who can play multiple positions and had to try to deal with it the best I could. I don’t feel like England ever got going or performed to our potential.’
Foden was also joined in the Royal Box by legendary Dutch footballer Marco van Basten and Lionesses stars Michelle Agyemang, Ella Toone and Alex Greenwood.
Ella Toone – pictured with her new husband Joe Bunney – was one of the Lionesses welcomed
Winter Olympic heroes Tabitha Stoecker and Matthew Weston were celebrated on Centre
Southgate misses his first major tournament since 2018 following the appointment of new England manager Thomas Tuchel
Foden was applauded by the crowd alongside Dutch football legend Marco van Basten
Nine-time champion Martina Navratilova was an honoured guest away from the BBC commentary box
Sir Chris Hoy was accompanied by his wife Sarra on a sunny day in southwest London
Wimbledon tradition dictates that the Royal Box is stuffed with sporting stars on the middle Saturday, with other notable names including Sir Ben Ainslie, doubles legends Bob and Mike Bryan, and record-breaking National Hunt jockey Rachael Blackmore.
Olympians and Paralympians including Sir Chris Hoy, Dave Ellis, Mark Foster, James Guy, Joshua O’Brien, Luke Pollard, Sir Steve Redgrave, Megan Richter, and Amy Truesdale were also invited as guests, with Winter Olympians Tabitha Stoecker and Matthew Weston rounding out a heavily decorated pack.
Stars from the tennis world were also present, with Richard Krajicek, who won the men’s singles 30 years ago, particularly feted.
Nine-time women’s champion Martina Navratilova was a guest too, having spent the week on commentary duty for BBC Sport.
