Maguire reveals 'awkward' FaceTime call with Tuchel after England's World Cup 2026 snub

Harry Maguire has revealed he learned of his England World Cup omission through an uncomfortable FaceTime call with manager Thomas Tuchel, in which the coach told him he had no real excuse but had stuck with the defenders who featured in autumn qualifying.

The Manchester United centre-back, 33, said he received a text around 9-10am asking him to speak with Tuchel at 4pm that afternoon. “It’s quite an awkward call,” Maguire said. “It is quite a unique way to do it. It makes it harder for him to see our reactions.”

Tuchel told Maguire he had opted for the four defenders who helped England through their qualifying campaign last autumn. Maguire, who had been included in the March international camp and felt he performed well in both friendlies before finishing the club season strongly at United, said the decision was difficult to accept. “I was shocked. We had a few words. It was an honest conversation between us both.”

Maguire, who appeared at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups under Gareth Southgate, acknowledged the omission may effectively end his World Cup career. “I’m 33 now and 37 at the next World Cup — it looks far away,” he said, adding that he had told Tuchel he would have been content with a single minute of playing time just to be part of the squad.

The defender has earned 66 caps since his England debut in 2017, but only four have come since the end of 2023. Despite the setback, Maguire ruled out retiring from international football. “I still feel I have something to offer,” he said. “If I got one more cap it would be worth it.”

Maguire made the comments on Gary Lineker’s The Rest is Football World Cup podcast.