Phil Foden leaves England national team amid Euro to welcome third child

The Football Association (FA) confirmed that Foden left the team's headquarters on June 26 due to "urgent family matters." He was said to return in time for the round of 16 game against Slovakia on June 30.

The Sun reported this is the second major tournament in a row where England had a player return home due to family matters. Previously at the 2022 World Cup, Raheem Sterling left Qatar and returned to England after his house was burglarized.

Phil Foden (L) and Rebecca Cooke in their third child's baby shower in April. Photo by Instagram/@go_pr_and_events

Foden and Cooke are childhood friends and has been dating since their teenage years. The young couple had their first child, Ronnie, when they were 19 in 2019. Three years later, Foden and Cooke welcomed a baby girl, True. Last April, the young couple held a big baby shower for their third child. Cooke often goes to the stadium to support Foden, but keeps her personal life private.

Foden started in all three of England's group stage matches against Serbia, Denmark and Slovenia but has not scored any goals.

Recently, the Man City star was spotted fishing and caught a big one in the lake at the Weimarer Land Spa and Golf resort before the match against Slovenia.

England passed the Euro 2024 group stage with the top position of their group, earning five points. However, coach Gareth Southgate and the team were criticized for their luckluster performance as they only scored two goals after three games.