Did Harry Maguire deserve to be included in England's World Cup squad?

Among those reportedly not included in Tuchel's squad are Phil Foden, Luke Shaw, Morgan Gibbs-White and Fikayo Tomori, but one stalwart has confirmed that he won't be making the trip to North America next month as Harry Maguire took to social media to confirm that he will not be among the 26 players named to England's squad on Friday.

Maguire, an experienced centre-back with 66 caps for the Three Lions, seems like a massive snub by Tuchel. But did he deserve to be included in England's World Cup squad? DAZN News looks at the factors, good and bad, in considering Maguire's case for inclusion.

Experience

This is the big trump card that Maguire holds over nearly the entire rest of the England defensive corps. The longtime Manchester United man has been through the grinder for both club and country, and at 33 years old is still of a good age for his position on the field.

As noted, Maguire has amassed 66 caps for the Three Lions, with 12 of those coming in the World Cup (2018 and 2022). The Sheffield-born defender didn't just made up the numbers in friendlies either, as Maguire was in the starting XI for England's run to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals, the Euro 2020 final and the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals.

Aside from longtime international defensive partner John Stones, who is not guaranteed to make Tuchel's squad either, no centre-back in the England pool has more experience in big games than Maguire.

Team chemistry

The aforementioned parternship with Stones has provided the bedrock for England for nearly a decade, and had Maguire been summoned for the upcoming World Cup they might have seen some playing time together once agan.

However, neither man has played a big part during Tuchel's tenure, with Stones making four appearances for England in 2025 and none so far in 2026 while Maguire didn't feature at all in 2025 while having two appearances earlier this year.

That signals a changing of the defensive guard for the Three Lions, and even if Maguire was brought in as an option off the bench, he'd have very little match experience alongside the current edition of the team.

Physicality

There's no denying that Maguire can handle the physical play that happens inside the 18-yard box — the 6-foot-4 Man United man cuts an imposing figure, and he's not afraid to exploit that.

He remains an ever-present threat on attacking set-pieces, and he is equally adept at defending them. This is one aspect of the game where Maguire shines, as his size and strength can help cause choas in the opposing penalty area while helping bring order in England's defensive third.

Athleticism

Slightly different than physicality in that this trait is more about speed and recovery, and unfortunately for Maguire this is a glaring weakness. He was never the quickest player even in his prime, with the way the game has evolved to require high lines and transitional defending, Maguire falls short.

If he made the squad, Maguire would likely be used situationally: late in matches when holding (or chasing) a lead, or against teams that cannot exploit his lack of pace.

Passing

Another factor that is highly valued in today's game is the ability to play out of the back, and Maguire is better than most in that regard. A calm customer, Maguire still progresses the ball effectively, and can provide a link between the defence and midfield.

Verdict

Maguire's influence has waned in recent years for both club and country, but he's still playing at a high enough level that Tuchel ran the rule over him earlier this year.

However, his time as a sure-fire starter was likely over, especially in the modern, highly athletic game where the likes of Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa excel.

That being said, Maguire's leadership cannot be overstated as the veteran has played in some massive games for England. Ultimately, it wasn't enough to convince Tuchel to save him a seat on the plane, and that might have been the right call.

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