Harry Maguire 'shocked and gutted' after omission from England World Cup squad
Harry Maguire says he is “shocked and gutted” after being left out of England’s World Cup squad by manager Thomas Tuchel, a decision with immediate consequences for player and

Harry Maguire has described himself as “shocked and gutted” after being omitted from England’s World Cup squad by manager Thomas Tuchel, the club and international development that matters for both the player and his club, Manchester United. The exclusion was reported on 21 May 2026 by Sky Sports Football.
Why it matters
Maguire’s absence from England’s World Cup squad is significant because he has been a long-standing senior presence in the national team setup and a regular figure at Manchester United. An omission ahead of a major tournament affects selection debates, defensive options for England at the World Cup, and Maguire’s match-readiness and status at club level.
What Sky Sports reported
Sky Sports Football published a report on 21 May 2026 saying Maguire was left out of England’s World Cup squad by Thomas Tuchel and that Maguire described himself as “shocked and gutted.” The story explicitly links the player quote and the selection decision to the England squad announcement.
Immediate implications for Maguire and Manchester United
Based only on the Sky Sports metadata, the direct consequences are limited to Maguire’s public reaction. The report does not provide further details about Tuchel’s reasoning, whether Maguire will remain available for future call-ups, any injury or fitness context, or a response from Manchester United. Those details need independent confirmation.
- Source: Sky Sports Football report dated 21 May 2026 stating Maguire was left out of England’s World Cup squad by Thomas Tuchel.
- Direct quote reported: Maguire felt “shocked and gutted.”
- No additional facts in the supplied metadata about reasons, injuries, or club reaction.
Context such as England’s defensive selection, Tuchel’s selection criteria, the make-up of the rest of the squad, or Manchester United’s position and how the omission affects club selection cannot be reliably stated from the single-source metadata provided and requires further sourcing.
What happens next
Based on the single report, likely next steps for a fuller picture are confirmation from the Football Association or England’s official squad announcement, a statement or press conference from manager Thomas Tuchel explaining his decision, and a response from Manchester United or Maguire’s representatives. Those items are not present in the provided source and should be obtained before publishing a definitive piece.
For accuracy and completeness, this draft needs additional verification of the managerial attribution, the exact quote, and any official squad paperwork or statements. Until those facts are confirmed, the story is flagged as needing review.