Oxlade-Chamberlain Signs New Celtic Deal: Can the Ex-England Star Force a 2026 World Cup Return?

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has signed a new one-year contract with Celtic, extending a revival that few saw coming. The 32-year-old former England midfielder joined the Glasgow club in February after six months without football, when Besiktas terminated his deal. He marked his debut with a last-minute winner against Livingston and went on to make 12 appearances as Celtic retained the title and lifted the Scottish Cup. With the 2026 World Cup a year away, his story is a reminder of how quickly a career can be reignited.

A rapid revival in Scotland

Oxlade-Chamberlain rebuilt his career at Celtic in just a few months. Out of football for half a year after Besiktas cut ties, he signed in February and scored on his debut, a last-minute winner against Livingston. Seven of his 12 appearances came from the bench, but he played his part in Celtic’s revival under then-interim manager Martin O’Neill.

Celtic retained the title with a final-day victory over long-time leaders Heart of Midlothian and also lifted the Scottish Cup. That was enough to earn the England midfielder a fresh one-year contract in Glasgow.

What it means for England before the 2026 World Cup

With the 2026 World Cup a year away, Oxlade-Chamberlain’s renewal underlines how deep England’s midfield options have become. The former Arsenal and Liverpool man, capped 35 times, is now far from the international picture, a sign of how much competition has grown for Thomas Tuchel’s squad.

Still, regular football at the top of the Scottish game keeps him relevant. For any fringe England hopeful, the lesson is the same: minutes on the pitch remain the only route back into a national-team conversation before a final squad is named.

Will Oxlade-Chamberlain make the 2026 World Cup?

Realistically, Oxlade-Chamberlain is not in England’s plans for the 2026 World Cup, but his new Celtic deal guarantees him competitive football at the highest Scottish level. Staying fit and sharp is the only way to keep even a distant door open.

For England fans, his journey is a feel-good subplot rather than a squad debate. The bigger story is what it says about depth: a player who once started for the Three Lions is now battling for minutes in Glasgow, a measure of how strong the pool has become heading into 2026.

FAQ