Thomas Tuchel Coret Harry Maguire dari Skuad Timnas Inggris

Manajer Tim Nasional Inggris Thomas Tuchel resmi mengumumkan daftar 26 pemain untuk Piala Dunia 2026 pada Jumat pagi waktu setempat dengan mencoret sejumlah nama besar termasuk bek Manchester United Harry Maguire.

Keputusan tersebut diambil setelah Tuchel merampingkan 55 nama dari skuad sementara demi membawa tim yang kompetitif ke Amerika Utara.

Selain Maguire, bintang muda Manchester City Phil Foden dan penyerang Chelsea Cole Palmer juga dipastikan absen akibat penurunan performa di kompetisi domestik.

Maguire mengonfirmasi pencoretan dirinya melalui media sosial pada Kamis sore sebelum rilis resmi asosiasi diterbitkan.

"I was confident I could have 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. I wish the players all the best," tulis Harry Maguire, Bek Manchester United.

Pemain berusia 33 tahun tersebut sebelumnya sangat berharap bisa tampil karena menganggap turnamen ini sebagai kesempatan terakhirnya di level internasional.

"I think it would be my last World Cup for my country. I've been to two, I missed out on the Euros two years ago through injury, which just hurt a lot really. So I'm desperate to go, whatever role the manager would want me for," kata Harry Maguire, Bek Manchester United.

Mantan bek Leicester City itu tetap percaya pada kemampuannya meski usianya tidak lagi muda.

"Whether that's starting or whether it's deciding games late on. I still believe, even at my age, I'm arguably one of the best defenders in the world in both boxes. I don't think that's to question really," ujar Harry Maguire, Bek Manchester United.

Ibu Maguire, Zoe, turut meluapkan kekecewaan di media sosial dan mengaku sangat muak dengan keputusan yang diambil tim kepelatihan.

Legenda Manchester United Steve Bruce mengaku sangat terkejut dengan pencoretan sang bek berpengalaman yang dinilai selalu tampil maksimal untuk negaranya.

"Well that is a big call, I am absolutely shocked," kata Steve Bruce, Mantan Pemain Manchester United.

Bruce menilai pengalaman Maguire dan pemain senior lain seperti Jordan Henderson sangat krusial di ruang ganti turnamen besar.

"I thought he was a stick on, especially the end of season which he's had. He's the one centre-back where really his experience in these sort of competitions [is key], for me he's never let England down at all. I would have thought he would have gone just for his experience and his know-how and what he is and that's a big big shock. That could arguably be the biggest shock of all, that he's not made the plane," tutur Steve Bruce, Mantan Pemain Manchester United.

Terkait absennya Foden dan Palmer, Bruce menilai hal itu tidak terlalu mengejutkan mengingat minimnya menit bermain Foden belakangan ini.

"The simple fact is Foden hasn't really played a lot has he? So probably it was a toss up between him and Palmer, it looked like. Rogers seems to be the outstanding one at the moment for the number 10 doesn't he? So another huge, as I said, big call because this lad is an immensely talented. Up until probably Christmas time he's been week in and week out playing for Man City. He's probably won six Premier Leagues has he at the age of 24 or wherever he is? That's a big, big call but one again where I'm not that surprised because his lack of game time over the last few months, he's not really played a lot," ucap Steve Bruce, Mantan Pemain Manchester United.

Di sisi lain, Tuchel memanggil kembali Jordan Henderson yang kini membela Brentford serta penyerang Al-Ahli Ivan Toney untuk mengisi lini serang bersama kapten Harry Kane.

Inggris dijadwalkan melakoni dua laga uji coba melawan Selandia Baru pada 6 Juni dan Kosta Rika pada 10 Juni sebelum membuka laga Grup L Piala Dunia melawan Kroasia di Texas pada 17 Juni 2026.