Maguire and Tomori excluded from England’s World Cup squad ahead of North America tournament
Harry Maguire expressed shock at his omission, while manager Thomas Tuchel prepares to confirm the full squad list on Friday.
England central defenders Harry Maguire and Fikayo Tomori have been excluded from the national team’s squad for the upcoming World Cup in North America. The decision marks a significant shift for both players, who were previously included in manager Thomas Tuchel’s squad for recent friendly matches against Japan and Uruguay.
Maguire addressed the exclusion directly via an Instagram post, stating he was "shocked and gutted" by the outcome. Despite his confidence in his recent form and belief that he could have played a major part for the country this summer, he confirmed his departure from the selection process. He concluded his statement by wishing his teammates well for the tournament.
The omission highlights a distinct change in tactical selection for Tuchel, who had previously named both defenders for the international friendlies. However, neither player will travel to North America for the World Cup, which is scheduled to commence on 11 June.
Tuchel is expected to announce the final 26-man squad on Friday. This announcement will formalise the roster for the tournament, leaving the specific reasons for the defensive reshuffle unconfirmed in the immediate aftermath of the news.
The exclusion of two established central defenders from the previous friendly squad underscores the competitive nature of the selection process. With the tournament start date approaching, the focus now shifts to the final composition of the squad as Tuchel prepares to take the team to North America.
