'Shocked and gutted' Harry Maguire not in England's World Cup squad
England’s World Cup squad will officially be announced on Friday but there won’t be a place for Sheffield’s Harry Maguire
Harry Maguire has confirmed that he won’t be in the England squad for this summer’s World Cup.
The Sheffield-born defender had overcome poor form to play a key role in an improved season for Manchester United as they qualified for the Champions League and will finish third in the Premier League table.
Having been previously left out of Thomas Tuchel’s squads, Maguire played a part in both of the recent friendlies, which the head coach used to help finalise his squad for the tournament in the USA, Mexico and Canada. The former Sheffield United man started in the draw with Uruguay and came off the bench in the defeat to Japan.
It was felt that Maguire’s experience in tournament football, alongside his return to form for Manchester United would earn him a place at least in the squad, if not as a definite starter. Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi of Manchester City And Dan Burn of Newcastle are expected to be the central defenders along with Penistone-born John Stones, with reports suggesting that Chelsea’s Levi Colwill could get a call despite only just returning to action for his club after suffering a serious injury in pre-season.
Maguire, who has won 66 caps for his country and is now, it would appear, unlikely to add to that, admitted he was ‘shocked and gutted’ by Tuchel’s decision.
He told Talksport: “I was confident I could have played a major part this summer for my country after the season I’ve had. I’ve been left shocked and gutted by the decision. I wish the players all the best.”
Maguire came through the ranks at Sheffield United before moving to Hull City and then Leicester City before becoming the world’s most expensive defender in 2019 when Manchester United spent a reported £80M to take him to Old Trafford.
The Mosborough-born 33-year-old made his England debut in 2018 when called up by Gareth Southgate and went to that summer’s World Cup. He went to play in the 2020 European Championships and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar but missed the 2024 Euros because of injury.
Tuchel’s final 26-man squad will be announced on Friday morning, with the players who didn’t make it being called on Thursday by the German coach.