Fern Maguire Hits Out at Thomas Tuchel After Harry Maguire Dropped From England’s 2026 World Cup Squad

Harry Maguire’s exclusion from England’s 2026 World Cup squad has extended beyond the pitch, with the Manchester United centre-back’s wife and mother both speaking out against Thomas Tuchel’s decision to leave the 33-year-old out of the summer tournament in the United States.

Fern Maguire addressed the omission on Instagram on Friday, 22 May, writing: “Just a shame you were up against a single opinion.” Her post followed a statement from Maguire himself, who confirmed the news via Instagram, saying: “I was confident I could have played a major part this summer for my country after the season I’ve had.”

Maguire added in his own post: “I’ve been left shocked and gutted by the decision. I’ve loved nothing more than putting that shirt on and representing my country over the years. I wish the players all the best this summer.” His mother, Zoe, was equally direct in her response, replying to her son’s post: “Absolutely disgusted… You couldn’t have done anymore. Hold your head high… Disgraceful.”

Tuchel named his final 26-man squad for the tournament, which is set to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Maguire was not the only high-profile absentee — the German coach also left out Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luke Shaw, and Lewis Hall, decisions that have collectively drawn significant scrutiny.

Tuchel has defended his selections publicly, stating his preference for an “unselfish” squad dynamic over simply selecting the 26 most individually talented players available. The approach reflects a broader philosophical stance from the former Chelsea and Bayern Munich manager, who took charge of England in January 2024.

For Maguire, the omission carries particular weight given his history with the national team. The defender has earned over 60 caps for England and featured prominently in the country’s run to the Euro 2020 final and their 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign in Qatar. His absence from this squad raises questions about whether his international career has effectively come to a close at 33.

England are among the favourites to progress deep into the 2026 tournament, with the expanded 48-team format offering more opportunities for sides to recover from early setbacks. The Three Lions are placed in a group alongside Serbia, with their opening fixture scheduled for the group stage in June 2026.

Tuchel’s squad selections will continue to face scrutiny in the lead-up to the tournament, particularly given the quality of players omitted. Whether his “unselfish” team ethos translates into results on the pitch in North America will ultimately determine how these controversial calls are judged.