Shocking and devastating.
Harry Maguire (33, Manchester United) has ultimately failed to make the World Cup roster. Although he staged a comeback and regained his place in the national team, Thomas Tuchel's final choice was cold-blooded.
Local outlets such as the Guardian and talkSPORT reported on the 22nd (Korea time) that Thomas Tuchel had effectively completed the final squad selection for the 2026 Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) North and Central American World Cup, adding that the biggest omission was Harry Maguire.
Maguire was once the core of the England national team itself.
He was at the center of England's run to the 2018 Russia World Cup semifinals, the runner-up finish at Euro 2020, and the quarterfinals at the 2022 Qatar World Cup. He has 66 caps and seven goals for the national team and has consistently made his presence felt on set pieces and aerial situations.
But in recent years his situation has shaken dramatically.
He lost out in the starting lineup competition at Manchester United, and repeated mistakes drew heavy criticism. Early this season he also spent long periods on the bench.
The tide turned under manager Erik ten Hag. Maguire was restored to the starting lineup and then featured steadily without missing matches. He regained defensive stability and played an important role in Manchester United's push for a spot in the UEFA Champions League.
A return to the national team followed naturally. He wore the England jersey again in March under Tuchel's management. He started against Uruguay and showed a stable performance. It was his first A match appearance in about a year and a half since September 2024.
His chances of making the World Cup seemed sufficient. Maguire did not hide his eagerness. In an April interview he said that this felt like it would be his last World Cup playing for his homeland and that missing Euro 2024 due to injury made him more desperate.
He added that he still believed he was one of the world's top defenders in both penalty areas and that he could play an important role in protecting a late lead or when the team needed a goal.
But Tuchel's thinking was different. Tuchel recently said publicly that his view of Maguire hadn't changed, but that he currently wanted a different type of defender.
In fact, he mentioned Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, John Stones and Trevoh Chalobah by name, showing a preference for a faster, more mobile defensive line.
In the end, Maguire was left off the final squad.
Through talkSPORT he said frankly that, considering the performances he had shown this season, he believed he could play a sufficient role in the national team and that the decision was shocking and devastating.
He added that he still wished the England players good luck.
Reports say that in this squad Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Luke Shaw are also likely to be omitted.
Tuchel focused on current form and tactical balance rather than reputation. Instead he chose Jude Bellingham, Everetts Eze, Morgan Rogers and others as attacking options, and the midfield is expected to be built around the Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson pairing.
Up front, Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney are being considered as backups to Harry Kane. Toney, who plays in Saudi Arabia, has only played two minutes under Tuchel but is reported to be highly rated for his penalty ability and aerial presence.
England were drawn into Group L with Croatia, Ghana and Panama at this North and Central American World Cup. Tuchel's goal is clear: England's second World Cup title since 1966. But in that challenge, the name of Maguire, long a defensive anchor of the national team, will not be included.
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