Ben Chilwell Eyes 2026 World Cup Spot at Strasbourg

Ben Chilwell, the 28-year-old English left-back, has set his sights on earning a spot in England's squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, viewing a potential selection as a powerful response to those who doubted his future in the game. Speaking to BBC Sport, Chilwell, now thriving at French club RC Strasbourg, described the prospect as deeply motivating after a challenging period at Chelsea.

Chilwell's journey to this renewed ambition began with difficulties at his former club. During the 2024-25 season under manager Enzo Maresca, he was among a group of players sidelined from first-team training, often referred to as the "bomb squad." Limited to appearances in the EFL Cup, Chilwell moved on loan to Crystal Palace in January 2025. There, he made just two starts as backup to Tyrick Mitchell, though the team secured the FA Cup under Oliver Glasner. Returning to Chelsea for preseason, where he trained separately alongside players like Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi, Chilwell sought a fresh start. In September 2025, he completed a permanent transfer to Strasbourg, a club under the same ownership group as Chelsea.

A brief 10-minute conversation with Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior, a...