The 2026 FIFA World Cup is less than two months away from making its appearance at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. As the tournament continues to approach, another star player set to come to the Meadowlands to play in the tournament is being put in the spotlight. This week, the focus is on Cole Palmer, an attacking midfielder and winger for England.
Palmer began playing for Manchester City in 2010 in his youth, at the squad’s under-eight level and progressed through the club’s Academy. During the 2019-20 season, as a teenager, Palmer captained the under-18 team, demonstrating his value to the club.
On Sept. 30, 2020, Palmer made his first-team debut for Manchester City in a 3-0 win over fellow Premier League club Burnley. Palmer would have to wait almost a year later to record his first goal, which came in a 6-1 win over League One squad Wycombe Wanderers. On Oct. 19, Palmer entered the game as a substitute against Club Brugge in the group stages of the UEFA Champions League, scoring his first goal in European competition.
As his career progressed, Palmer continued to become a more consistent member of Manchester City’s squad, but was still often used as a substitute. With contributions from Palmer, Manchester City went on to have an electric 2022-23 season, winning the Premier League, FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League, becoming the second team ever to accomplish this feat.
Despite Manchester City’s success, Palmer’s talents weren’t being properly displayed on the club, where he had only made three starts over the duration of his time there, spending most time as a substitute. On Sept. 1, 2023, Palmer signed with premier league club Chelsea on a seven-year contract. On Oct. 7, Palmer scored his first goal for the club, while also recording an assist. In Chelsea’s final match of 2023, Palmer recorded two goals for the first time in his professional career, as well as recording an assist, in a 3-2 victory over Luton Town.
Palmer’s impressive performances in December 2023 led to him being named Premier League Player of the Month, emphasizing his growth as a player since joining Chelsea. On Feb. 29, Palmer was named the Men’s Young Player of the Year at the 2024 London Football Awards.
On Mar. 2, Palmer recorded an assist in the club’s match against Brentford, holding the most goal contributions in a season by a Chelsea player aged 21 or younger. A few months later, on May 5, Palmer scored in a 5-0 victory over Manchester United, becoming the third player in Premier League history aged 21 or younger to earn 30 or more goal contributions in a single season. Palmer’s breakout performance led to him being named Chelsea Player of the Season, signifying his leap to becoming one of the youngest stars in the game.
To conclude his breakout 2023-24 campaign, Palmer ended the season with 27 goals and 15 assists across all competitions. This includes 22 goals and 11 assists being recorded throughout the Premier League season. Palmer was named Premier League Young Player of the Season, as well as being nominated for the Premier League Player of the Season.
Prior to the start of his second season, Palmer signed a new contract with Chelsea to remain with the club through June 2033. Now establishing himself as an integral part of the club’s future, Palmer continued to shine in his second season with Chelsea, scoring 15 goals and 8 assists through Premier League play. On Sept. 28, 2024, Palmer scored four goals in the first half of a 4-2 win over Brighton & Hove Albion, becoming the first player in Premier League history to achieve this feat.
On July 13, Palmer made his way to MetLife Stadium, where the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup was being held. Chelsea defeated Paris Saint-Germain in a 3-0 win, where Palmer contributed to all three goals, scoring twice and recording an assist. Palmer’s impressive performance led to him being named the final’s player of the match.
Palmer received his first call-up to the senior England national team on Nov. 13, 2023, in anticipation of the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying matches. On Nov. 17, Palmer made his debut, entering the game as a substitute in England’s 2-0 victory over Malta in a qualifying match.
After his impressive season, Palmer earned himself a spot on England’s squad for the UEFA Euro 2024. Prior to the tournament, Palmer made his first debut, as well as scoring his first international goal, in a friendly match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Palmer scored the first of England’s five penalty kicks in a shootout win over Switzerland in the quarter-finals. In the semi-finals, Palmer came off the bench in the 81st minute, assisting Ollie Watkins on his 90th minute goal against the Netherlands to send England to the UEFA Euro 2024 final. In the final match, Palmer came off the bench in the 70th minute and scored the equalizing goal to tie the match at 1-1, though Spain was able to respond and went on to win the match. However, Palmer’s heroics in the big moment was undeniable.
From the FIFA Club World Cup to the UEFA Euro, Palmer has shone on some of the brightest stages in the sport. However, entering the 2026 FIFA World Cup, it will be a tournament unlike any other that he has played in before. On June 27, England will be heading to MetLife Stadium to take on Panama for their final group stage match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Palmer has already played at MetLife Stadium, putting up an all-time performance, where he will look to continue doing the same this summer.
