Phil Foden returned to England’s Euro 2024 training camp in Germany on Thursday night after attending the birth of his third child.
The Football Association confirmed on Wednesday that the Manchester City star had returned to the UK due to a “pressing family matter.”
Foden boarded a plane back to England immediately after Tuesday’s draw against Slovenia to be with his family.
The attacker’s partner, Rebecca Cooke, gave birth to a baby boy, and Foden is now due to return to Germany on Thursday evening with hopes of training at the team’s Weimar base on Friday.
In April, it was revealed that the 24-year-old and Cooke, 22, were expecting their third child. The family celebrated the exciting news with a lavish baby shower, sharing pictures online in front of a blue and white balloon arch with LED letters spelling “Baby Foden.”
An FA spokesperson stated, “Phil Foden has temporarily left the England camp and has returned to the UK for a pressing family matter.”
Foden, who has 37 caps, has started all three of England’s group games at the tournament, including Tuesday’s draw with Slovenia. England play Slovakia in the last 16 of Euro 2024 on Sunday in Gelsenkirchen, and Foden should be involved in training on Friday.
After finishing top of their group, England have drawn Slovakia in the last 16 of Euro 2024. Should England progress, they are set to take on the winner of Switzerland’s last 16 clash against Italy.
Foden is the youngest professional footballer to win six Premier League titles, having helped Pep Guardiola’s side claim their fourth consecutive trophy earlier this season.
He was also named Premier League Player of the Year and the Football Writer’s Association Player of the Year for his outstanding performances for Manchester City during the 2023/24 season.
