UMVA has learned that Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has been left stunned and heartbroken after being snubbed for England's 2026 World Cup squad.
The 33-year-old Maguire has been a stalwart for his country, earning 66 caps between 2017 and 2026, and representing England at two World Cups and two European Championships. However, it appears that his impressive record was not enough to secure a spot in Thomas Tuchel's squad.
According to information obtained by UMVA, Maguire took to social media to express his disappointment, revealing that he was confident of playing a major role for England this summer. He posted a statement on his official account, saying: "I was confident I could of played a major part this summer for my country after the season I’ve had. I’ve been left shocked and gutted by the decision."
Maguire's statement continued: "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." This snub comes after Maguire's return to form for Manchester United this season, and his recent signing of a new contract with the club.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that Maguire is not the only high-profile player to miss out on the squad, with the likes of Phil Foden and Cole Palmer also not making the cut. The leaked information about Tuchel's squad has left many fans baffled and frustrated, and it will be interesting to see how the tournament unfolds for England.
The expected England World Cup squad includes some surprise inclusions, such as John Stones, who has been struggling with injuries and reduced playing time for Manchester City. Jordan Henderson is also expected to keep his place, while Noni Madueke should also be in despite a underwhelming season for Arsenal.
On the other hand, several big-name players are expected to miss out, including Manchester United's Luke Shaw, and high-profile defenders Fikayo Tomori and Levi Colwill. The omission of in-form midfielders Morgan Gibbs-White and Adam Wharton has also raised eyebrows.
England's expected World Cup squad in full is starting to take shape, with the team drawn in Group L alongside Ghana, Panama, and Croatia. The squad includes a mix of experienced players and young talent, and it remains to be seen how they will perform on the world stage.
