Manchester United's Harry Maguire is one of the biggest names to have missed the World Cup bus. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

For decades, every time a quadrennial global football event has dawned on the horizon, there has always been a combination of unbridled expectation and the angst of underperformance surrounding the England football team. 

But since the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the 1966 World Cup winner has always been in the business end of these tournaments. Yet, there is a feeling of now or never surrounding this generation of England stars, led by the nation’s all-time top-scorer, Harry Kane. 

The job of ending the Three Lions’ exasperating wait lies with German coach Thomas Tuchel, who has taken up this role after a decade littered with club trophies. Known for his tactical intelligence, the former Bayern Munich manager has been allowed the time and conditions to mould the team around his preference. Tuchel is not afraid to put his foot down when it comes to squad selections. That is a trait he has maintained since he took the job in 2025. So it is no surprise that the 26-man England squad sees a few big names missing out. 

Manchester United defender Harry Maguire announced on social media on the eve of the announcement that he felt ‘shocked’ and ‘gutted’ after missing out on selection to the World Cup travelling party. The 33-year-old had been picked for the March international break and was expected to retain his place following a strong finish to the season with the Red Devils but was eventually overlooked. England will miss his big tournament experience and his ability to get his head to the ball at the right end of the pitch when the going gets tough. Newcastle United’s Dan Burn is the beneficiary of Maguire’s absence. John Stones, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa and Bayer Leverkusen’s young defender Jarell Quansah are the others making the trip west. 

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Surprisingly, Newcastle’s Lewis Hall, who was almost set in stone to be picked to share the left-back role alongside Man City’s Nico O’Reilly has also been left out. Tuchel has rewarded the versatility of Djed Spence, who has been one of the lone bright sparks in a torrid season for Tottenham Hotspur. 

Real Madrid right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold will also miss the World Cup. Chelsea skipper Reece James, who has grappled with injury throughout his career, and Tino Livramento, currently out with a thigh problem, are the options in that position. England has always relied on the experience in this part of the pitch at global tournaments. Tuchel will hope his gamble of picking a few untested youngsters will not come back to bite him. 

Manchester City’s Phil Foden is another high-profile miss from the squad, alongside former teammate Cole Palmer. The 2025-26 season hasn’t been the most productive for the two treble winners, and the intense fight for places has left Tuchel with no choice but to leave them out. Tuchel has opted for speed and trickery over nimble-footedness, placing his trust in Anthony Gordon and Noni Madueke to deputise for Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka. Eberechi Eze, Morgan Rogers and Jude Bellingham will form the creative outlets in the centre of the park. 

The centre of midfield is another area where England has more supply than demand. With Declan Rice being one of the first names on the team sheet, veteran midfielder Jordan Henderson will fight for the other spot with young talents Kobbie Mainoo and Elliot Anderson. Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, as well as James Garner and Alex Scott, who have slowly but surely made the rise from the under-21s to the senior team, will have to wait for their chance. 

There is a surprising pick in attack as well. Al Ahli forward Ivan Toney, who has played just two minutes of action under Tuchel, has been picked as a backup to Kane and Ollie Watkins. Despite goal-heavy seasons in the Premier League, Danny Welbeck and Dominic Calvert-Lewin have not been considered.

There was quite a bit of furore on social media after the English media released the names of some of the players not making the plane. But if Tuchel can validate his decisions with a strong showing in North America, the fans will be quick to jump back on his side. On the contrary, if things do not go according to plan, it will not take much time for him to be the country’s enemy number one. 

Published on May 22, 2026