Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White has missed out on the England squad for this summer’s World Cup.
His omission has caused quite the stir, given that he’s scored 18 goals and claimed seven assists during the 2025/26 campaign.
🤔Has Rio Ferdinand missed the mark with his statement on Morgan Gibbs-White?
Gibbs-White needs to make sure that he enjoys a well-earned rest now and comes back ready to fire Forest up the Premier League table next season.
As one of the form players in the Premier League, however, fans and pundits have been perplexed that he’s not been picked by Thomas Tuchel for the World Cup.
Rio Ferdinand, however, is not quite so surprised…
- READ MORE: Stars react to Morgan Gibbs-White video
Rio Ferdinand makes a surprising Morgan Gibbs-White claim
The former Manchester United and England defender doesn’t think it’s such a huge surprise that Gibbs-White hasn’t made the cut.
He believes he’s been a victim of the competition for places in his position as a number 10 and claimed on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast that he’s not as surprised about his omission as some others.
He said: “Yeah. But would you put Morgan Gibbs White in ahead of Bellingham or Morgan Rogers?
“No. I’m sorry you wouldn’t.
“He’s a good player, don’t get me wrong. I think he’s a talented player. I love him. I like his energy. I think he’s got a great way about him. But you’re putting him up against some very good players there. So, I don’t think he’s got as big an argument as other people, maybe.”
Ferdinand is missing the point regarding Gibbs-White
There won’t be too many Forest fans who believe Gibbs-White should play ahead of Jude Bellingham or Morgan Rogers for England.
However, Gibbs-White’s strong form of late has seen him play on the left more often than not and as a form player, he should have been taken to bolster the options from the bench.
Cole Palmer and Phil Foden have also both missed out on the squad but given their form, that doesn’t really come as too much of a surprise.
Gibbs-White joins the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Danny Welbeck and Harry Maguire as players who aren’t going, despite being in excellent form.
At 26, Gibbs-White’s chances of playing at a World Cup look to have dwindled and really, there wasn’t much more he could have done on this occasion.
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