John Terry says 11 England players are not good enough to win the 2026 World Cup

Former England captain John Terry has publicly challenged Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad selection, claiming that at least 11 of the 26 players named are not of a high enough standard to win the tournament in the United States.

Speaking on Sports Uncensored, Terry said he could identify only “13, 14 or 15 players that can play if we’re going to win this World Cup,” adding that he was unconvinced the rest of the group would push the first-choice starters hard enough. “When I look at the rest of the squad I’m not sure they’re going to push the players who are going to be playing,” he said.

Tuchel has already demonstrated a willingness to make difficult calls, omitting Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Harry Maguire from the squad that travelled to the US last week. Foden and Palmer both endured underwhelming domestic seasons and struggled in the March internationals, with Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers among those to benefit from their dip in form.

Terry acknowledged Tuchel’s courage in making unpopular decisions but argued the manager had got “three or four big decisions” wrong. He was particularly critical of the absence of Maguire and Luke Shaw, suggesting their experience would be valuable to younger squad members. “We’re looking at Nico O’Reilly coming in at left back playing in his first major international tournament,” Terry said. “I think someone like him needs someone like Luke Shaw around the place to help him, settle him, give him a little bit of advice.”

On Maguire specifically, Terry was unequivocal: “For me, he’s a better player than Dan Burn and now if the other two get injured, whether that’s John Stones coming in, I’d much rather Harry Maguire there. I would have Harry Maguire there every day of the week.”

England’s 26-man squad includes goalkeepers Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson and James Trafford; defenders Reece James, Tino Livramento, John Stones, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Dan Burn, Jarell Quansah, Djed Spence and O’Reilly; midfielders Elliott Anderson, Jordan Henderson, Declan Rice, Kobbie Mainoo, Eberechi Eze, Bellingham and Rogers; and forwards Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke, Anthony Gordon, Marcus Rashford, Harry Kane, Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney.