Harry Maguire reveals Tuchel FaceTimed excluded England players before World Cup
Manchester United defender Harry Maguire said England manager Thomas Tuchel informed the players left out of the 2026 World Cup squad via a FaceTime call, describing the conversation as awkward. Speaking on Gary Lineker’s Rest is Football World Cup podcast, Maguire recalled receiving a text asking to talk at 4 pm, then Tuchel telling him he could not give an excuse and had chosen the four players who helped him through the autumn. Maguire, 33, expressed disappointment, saying he believed his recent form under Michael Carrick and strong finish to the season deserved a spot, and noted his 66 caps and experience in major tournaments. Tuchel’s final 26‑man squad omitted Maguire alongside Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, Liverpool’s Trent Alexander‑Arnold and others. England opens its World Cup campaign against Croatia on Wednesday June 17, then faces Ghana on June 23 and Panama on June 27. For Nigerian fans who follow the Premier League and the Three Lions, Maguire’s exclusion raises questions about how current club form weighs against international pedigree in selection decisions. Will you back Tuchel’s choice to prioritize recent autumn performers, or do you think Maguire’s tournament experience should have earned him a place?