‘Shocked and gutted’ Harry Maguire is AXED from England’s World Cup squad as Thomas Tuchel prepares to name 26-man group – with a centre back not picked since last summer in line for a call

Harry Maguire has not been selected in the England squad for this summer’s World Cup by manager Thomas Tuchel.

Tuchel has named his 26-man squad for the tournament tomorrow morning and Maguire is not on that list.

It seems that the 33-year-old Manchester United star does not believe the decision.

“After last season, I was confident that I could play an important role for my country this summer,” Maguire said. ‘I am shocked and heartbroken by the decision. I wish the players all the best.’

Maguire’s mother, Zoe, responded to the post: ”You couldn’t do this anymore. Keep your head up… It’s a shame.’

‘Absolutely disgusted,’ he added in a separate social media post.

23-year-old Chelsea defender Levi Colwill, who has missed most of this season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, was named on Tuchel’s 55-man longlist last week and is in contention for selection on Friday.

Tuchel has tough decisions to make before taking England to the United States

Maguire has signed a new contract at United after turning his career around under manager Michael Carrick this season.

But the shadow of the Mykonos police assault case from 2020 still hangs over him.

Earlier this year, prosecutors prosecuting his conviction in Greece called for him not to be allowed to travel to the World Cup after he was given a 15-month suspended prison sentence.

Maguire was found guilty of non-serious assault, resisting arrest and attempted bribery for the incident six years ago following a retrial at the Greek Criminal Appeals Court on the island of Syros in March, and has said he plans to appeal, describing the case as a mess.

In a statement Daily Mail SportsIoannis Paradissis, lawyer for the police officers who claimed they were injured while trying to arrest Maguire, said: ‘Our clients’ position is that, given his conviction and the fact that he now has a criminal record for violent crimes – even if he is only appealing on a civil basis – Mr Maguire should not be allowed to continue representing top-flight sports teams, including participation in the Premier League or international competitions such as the World Cup.

‘We also understand that a match is planned in the United States. As he currently has a criminal record, it is unlikely he will be granted a visa or ESTA. This will in any case prevent him from going there or competing there and will therefore be a problem for his team.’

Maguire, who played 66 times for England, represented the Three Lions in three major tournaments but was left out of England’s Euro 2024 squad due to his injury not improving.

The defender has featured in all of England’s matches at the last two World Cups, helping the Three Lions reach the semi-finals of Russia 2018 and the quarter-finals of Qatar 2022.

Chelsea’s Levi Colwill could be called up just weeks after returning from ACL injury

However, Maguire has featured in just three of England’s international matches since Euro 2024.

He made his first start of Lee Carsley’s temporary spell against the Republic of Ireland in September 2024.

Maguire only played under Tuchel in the final international friendlies in March.

The Man United defender played all seven minutes of the 1-0 home defeat against Japan, as well as playing in the 1-1 draw with Uruguay.