Maguire was shocked not to be included in the England squad for the 2026 World Cup. Photo: Reuters .
Harry Maguire has just revealed details about the moment he learned he wouldn't be included in the England squad for the 2026 World Cup. The Manchester United defender said that manager Thomas Tuchel had a private FaceTime call with each player before announcing the official squad.
"It was a rather awkward call," Maguire shared on Gary Lineker's The Rest is Football podcast .
Before the call, the 33-year-old received a text message from Tuchel suggesting a meeting around 4 PM. When they connected via FaceTime, the German coach announced that he would not be taking Maguire to the World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
According to Maguire, he immediately expressed his disappointment. The central defender believed that his performances for Manchester United last season were enough to earn him a place in the 26-man squad.
"He said he couldn't give a specific reason other than continuing to trust the central defenders who have been with the team since last fall," Maguire recalled.
Coach Tuchel wants to continue working with the defensive lineup he is familiar with. Photo: Reuters.
Tuchel's decision came as a surprise because Maguire had just gone through one of the most impressive periods of his career. After Michael Carrick took over at MU in January, the English center-back gradually regained his form and had his contract extended until 2027.
Maguire's consistent performances earned him a return to the England squad for the March international break. However, he was still left out of the final list, alongside notable names like Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Despite his disappointment, Maguire insists he hasn't thought about retiring from the national team. After the list was announced, Maguire posted a message on social media, admitting he was "shocked and hurt" by Tuchel's decision.
Meanwhile, the England manager defended his choice. Tuchel insisted he greatly respected Maguire and appreciated the season the central defender had just had. However, the German strategist wanted to maintain the defensive framework that had been with him during his first few months in charge of the England team.