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FIFA World Cup

Why did Thomas Tuchel leave Harry Maguire out of England World Cup squad?

Rajarshi has been part of Khel Now since 2022, and he covers world football.
Published at :May 22, 2026 at 5:52 PM
Modified at :May 22, 2026 at 6:01 PM
Manchester United Harry Maguire

(Courtesy : Getty Images)

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Harry Maguire thought Tuchel would choose him for the squad.

Thomas Tuchel stated he was “surprised” by Harry Maguire’s choice to post a message on social media after the England manager called the Manchester United defender to break the news.

Tuchel’s five centre-back choices for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America are Marc Guehi and John Stones of Manchester City, Ezra Konsa of Aston Villa, Dan Burn of Newcastle United, and Jarell Quansah of Bayer Leverkusen.

Thomas Tuchel has justified his choice to omit Harry Maguire. The England manager acknowledged that the calls were “painfully difficult,” but he maintained that he wanted a cohesive team based on “hunger and excitement.”

The England manager has discussed the emotional strain of selecting his team for the forthcoming World Cup, particularly in light of Harry Maguire’s absence.

Although the player has been a key component of the national team’s identity in recent years, the German strategist believed that, to guarantee success on the international stage, a course change was required.

Tuchel provides a reason for leaving Maguire out of the England squad

England football team Thomas Tuchel
Thomas Tuchel wanted a cohesive unit that was already showing results. (Photo by Simon Hofmann/Bundesliga/Bundesliga Collection via Getty Images)

The German coach claimed that the UEFA Nations League camps in September, October, and November had a significant influence on his choice. He said that one of the hardest aspects of his job was telling senior players that they would not be attending the tournament.

“I was surprised to read (Harry) Maguire’s statement [saying he was shocked]. We had a private conversation and he had the chance to express his feelings. The decision is we stuck with the central defenders who carried us through the autumn.”

Thomas Tuchel will now concentrate on making sure his chosen team exhibits the same intensity and camaraderie as they did throughout the Nations League sessions. Pressure will mount rapidly, especially in light of the criticism directed at the exclusion of a number of prominent players.

The England team’s World Cup results will ultimately be used to evaluate the manager’s risk. The Three Lions, together with Croatia, Ghana, and Panama, are in Group L of the competition.

Why did Tuchel exclude Maguire from the England squad?

He only counted on players he used during the autumn international break.

Which group are England in?

They are in group L.

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Rajarshi Shukla
Rajarshi Shukla

After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.

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