Former Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has expressed shock and disappointment after being reportedly dropped from England's 2026 FIFA World Cup squad by manager Thomas Tuchel. The German tactician is expected to announce his final 26-man squad on Friday, May 22, at Wembley Stadium.
Tuchel's Decision
According to multiple reports, Tuchel personally informed Maguire that he would not be part of the squad traveling to the United States, Canada, and Mexico for the tournament. This decision comes despite Maguire's consistent performances for the national team in recent friendlies.
The 33-year-old defender played the full 90 minutes against Uruguay in March 2026 and came off the bench against Japan. However, Tuchel was reportedly unconvinced by his overall displays and opted for other options.
Maguire's Reaction
Maguire, who has earned 66 caps for England since his debut in 2017, said: "I was confident I could have played a major part this summer for my country after the season I've had. I've been left shocked and gutted by the decision. I've loved nothing more than putting that shirt on and representing my country over the years. I wish the players all the best this summer."
The defender represented England at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, as well as Euro 2020. He narrowly missed Euro 2024 due to injury but returned to the international fold earlier this year under Tuchel.
Replacement and Tactical Setup
Tuchel has reportedly chosen Chelsea's Levi Colwill ahead of Maguire, despite Colwill recovering from a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered during pre-season. The preferred central defensive pairing is expected to be Ezri Konsa and Marc Guehi, with Konsa's versatility to play at right-back seen as a major advantage.
England's World Cup Campaign
England will begin their Group L campaign against Ghana, Panama, and Croatia. Maguire, despite his disappointment, wished the team success in the tournament.
