Harry Maguire has been omitted from England’s World Cup squad, as announced by manager Thomas Tuchel. The defender expressed his disappointment through social media, stating he was confident about making a significant impact for the national team after a strong season. He described himself as “shocked and gutted” by the decision and conveyed his best wishes to the players heading to the tournament.
Harry Maguire’s Experience and Recent Performance
Maguire, who has earned 66 caps for England, faced challenges in securing his position within Manchester United’s starting lineup. He started 14 out of the last 16 Premier League matches after regaining his place. His return to form led to his selection in the England squad in March, where he performed solidly against Uruguay and made a late appearance in the match against Japan.
Tuchel’s Selection Decisions
During the announcement, Thomas Tuchel highlighted that Maguire was not among his top choices for center-back. He mentioned other players who were preferred in the squad, noting their attributes and performances. The players mentioned included:
- Ezri Konsa
- Marc Guehi
- Trevoh Chalobah
- John Stones (noting his recent injuries)
Tuchel acknowledged Maguire’s solid performance in recent matches but indicated that he preferred other players for the World Cup.
Upcoming Challenges for England
England is set to embark on their journey to the United States on June 1, with just 16 days until their first match against Croatia on June 17. The team will prepare for the tournament in Kansas City, Missouri, at Swope Soccer Village.
Preparation Matches
Before the World Cup begins, England will face warm-up matches against:
- New Zealand on June 6, 9 PM UK time
- Costa Rica on June 10, 9 PM UK time
England’s World Cup Schedule
The fixtures for England in the World Cup Group L are as follows:
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time (UK) |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 17 | Croatia | Dallas | 9 PM |
| June 23 | Ghana | Boston | 9 PM |
| June 27 | Panama | New York-New Jersey | 10 PM |
Key Dates for the World Cup
The World Cup will take place between June 11 and July 19, with the tournament structured as follows:
- Group Stage: June 11-27
- Round of 32: June 28 to July 3
- Round of 16: July 4-7
- Quarter-finals: July 9-11
- Semi-finals: July 14-15
- Third-place playoff: July 18
- Final: July 19
England will look to make a strong impression in the tournament, even without Harry Maguire in their squad.
