Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton has declared his intention to stay fit, perform consistently — and push for a place in England’s squad for the 2026 World Cup in North America.
Speaking to talkSPORT, the 21-year-old admitted last season was frustrating after a groin injury kept him out for three months. Despite making 27 appearances across all competitions, Wharton missed key fixtures and saw his momentum with the national team stall.
He was included in the Three Lions squad for Euro 2024 after making his debut against Bosnia & Herzegovina, but did not feature during the tournament. Since then, he’s only appeared twice for England’s Under-21s, but remains firmly on senior manager Thomas Tuchel’s radar.
Wharton: “I Want to Be on the Plane”
The young midfielder is keeping his goals simple — stay fit, play regularly, and let his performances do the talking.
“Every player that’s English in the Premier League wants to be picked to go to America come the end of the season,” Wharton told *talkSPORT*. “Obviously when the time comes, you’re hopeful your name will be picked and you’re on the plane.” — Adam Wharton
Wharton also added: “I just take it game by game. I can feel within myself if I’m doing well or could be doing better. For Palace, I want to stay fit, play as many games as I can, and help the team do even better than last year.”
Palace Set for European Debut — Or Europa League Return?
Wharton’s chance to impress could be boosted by European football this season. Palace were drawn in the Conference League play-offs against Fredrikstad or Midtjylland — but they may still be reinstated to the Europa League.
The club is currently appealing UEFA’s decision to remove them from the competition over multi-club ownership breaches. A ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport is expected next week.
Adam Wharton – 2024/25 Season Recap
| Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Minutes Played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 19 | 1 | 2 | 1,285 |
| FA Cup | 3 | 0 | 1 | 243 |
| Other | 5 | 0 | 0 | 377 |
Analyst Verdict: Wharton Needs a Full Season — and He Could Get It
Wharton remains one of the most technically gifted young midfielders in the Premier League. If he can avoid injury, he has the tools — and tactical intelligence — to break back into the England fold under Tuchel, especially if Palace progress deep in Europe.
Key Insights
- Adam Wharton targeting 2026 World Cup call-up
- Missed three months last season with groin injury
- Made England debut in June 2024 vs Bosnia
- Palace await UEFA appeal ruling over Europa League place
- Spoke ahead of Community Shield vs Liverpool at Wembley
What’s Next?
Wharton is expected to start for Crystal Palace in Sunday’s Community Shield against Liverpool.
If he can stay fit across August and September, he could force his way back into Tuchel’s squad for England’s autumn qualifiers.
The outcome of Palace’s UEFA appeal could also shape Wharton’s European exposure this season — and strengthen his international case.
Can Wharton stay fit and earn a World Cup spot — or will injuries stall his rise again?
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