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Thomas Tuchel has left Harry Maguire “shocked and gutted” after omitting him from England’s World Cup squad and is also poised to find no place for Phil Foden.
The Manchester United centre-half and Manchester City playmaker had hoped to be included in the 26-man party for the tournament this summer, which Tuchel will name at Wembley on Friday morning.
Maguire has excelled for United since Michael Carrick took over as the head coach in mid-January and was called up by Tuchel for the March international programme. The 33-year-old started against Uruguay and came on as a late substitute against Japan, when he brought a threat on set pieces.
But Tuchel has decided to prioritise other players in the position. He is expected to select Ezri Konsa, Marc Guéhi and John Stones, despite the latter’s lack of football for Manchester City; he has made only four appearances since 2 December. Also in the frame are Trevoh Chalobah, Jarell Quansah, Dan Burn and Levi Colwill, who has impressed for Chelsea since his return at the beginning of the month from a season-wrecking anterior cruciate ligament rupture. The Milan defender Fikayo Tomori has not been selected.
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“I was confident I could have played a major part this summer for my country after the season I’ve had,” Maguire posted on social media. “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.”
Tuchel’s comments about Maguire after the Uruguay game bear a reprint. “I got exactly what I thought: solid central defender play,” Tuchel said. “Very good on the ball, very calm, strong in the air and [as a] weapon for set pieces. I haven’t changed my mind but I see other players I like to start for us, I see other players ahead with a different profile. I see Ezri Konsa ahead, I see Marc Guéhi ahead. It’s no secret. I see Trevoh Chalobah on the level of mobility slightly ahead of him. Also John Stones, but he had injuries.”
Maguire’s club colleague Luke Shaw, who last played for England in 2024 but has had an impressive, injury-free season, is also expected to miss out.
