Former England captain Wayne Rooney has pointed to two players he believes the Three Lions are desperately missing following their goalless draw against Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

England struggled to break down a resilient Ghanaian side during the Group L encounter, producing a frustrating performance that left supporters disappointed after the team’s impressive start to the tournament.

Reflecting on the match, Rooney suggested that England lacked the creativity and attacking spark usually provided by two of their most influential players.

According to Rooney, the absence of Phil Foden and Cole Palmer was evident as England found it difficult to unlock Ghana’s disciplined defence and create clear-cut scoring opportunities.

Speaking after the game, Rooney said: “They are missing Phil Foden and Cole Palmer.”

The former Manchester United striker explained that both players possess the technical quality and imagination needed to open up tightly organised teams, qualities he felt were lacking throughout the contest.

Rooney added: “When teams sit deep, they are the players who can find space and make things happen.”

England enjoyed large spells of possession but were unable to convert their dominance into goals, while Ghana remained compact and organised at the back to secure a valuable point.

The result left England still in a strong position to progress from the group stage, although Rooney believes the team would benefit greatly from having more creative options available as the tournament enters its decisive phase.