'We had a few words' - Harry Maguire reveals 'awkward' England World Cup squad snub call with Thomas Tuchel

Harry Maguire has revealed the "awkward" way in which Thomas Tuchel informed him he would not be going to the World Cup with England.

A member of England's World Cup squad in 2018 and 2022, Maguire was omitted from Tuchel's travelling party this time around despite returning to form with Manchester United.

The former Hull City defender did not make the 26-man squad, with Tuchel preferring to pick Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, Jarell Quansah, Dan Burn and John Stones as his five central defenders.

Maguire posted a statement in response to his omission, stating that he had "been left shocked and gutted by the decision". In addition, his family took to social media to call his snub "disgusting".

Tuchel said he was "surprised" to read Maguire's statement and revealed that they "had a private conversation and he had the chance to express his feelings”.

Maguire has jetted out across the pond, however, appearing as a pundit for Netflix's Rest is Football podcast with Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards.

And he immediately addressed the elephant room, telling the story of exactly how it was communicated to him.

While USMNT boss Mauricio Pochettino elected against calling his players, Tuchel jumped on FaceTime calls with everyone and told the likes of Maguire the bad news.

Explaining how he was told, Maguire said: "He FaceTimes everyone.

"It's quite an awkward call. I received a text saying can I speak to you about 4pm. It is quite a unique way of doing it and probably makes it harder for himself because he can see our reactions and things like that.

"I said straightaway I was really disappointed. I thought I did enough to be in the squad and thought I could have helped and had a part to play on and off the pitch.

"He said he can't give me an excuse but he had gone with the four lads who got him through the autumn. We had a few words.

"It was tough to take. I did think I would be in the squad after being selected for the March camp under him for the first time. I did really well in both games and then went back to Manchester United and finished the season really strongly."

"We had a few words."

Harry Maguire tells @RestIsFootball how Thomas Tuchel broke the news of him being left out of the England squad. pic.twitter.com/U2kRGFXY36

— Netflix UK & Ireland (@NetflixUK) June 16, 2026

Harry Maguire reveals what he told Thomas Tuchel in awkward phone call

Capped 66 times by England, Maguire has conceded that he may not get another opportunity to play at a World Cup and was prepared to be a bit-part player in the US.

Despite his disappointment, he is behind the team and believes England are well-placed go all the way and repeat the heroics from 1966.

He continued: "I'm 33 now so 37 at the next World Cup. It looks far away now. I wanted to go, not just to play but I told the manager I wasn't demanding to go and start the games. I'd have been happy to to play one minute as long I was there with the lads.

"Football's a game of opinions isn't it? No matter what squad he would have picked, there would have been people who missed out that people would have said they should have been in the squad so I wish them all the best. They're all top players and I think we've got a great chance to win it.

England kick off their World Cup campaign on Wednesday when they take on familiar foes Croatia at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

According to reports, Stones and Konsa are widely expected to be the first-choice pairing at the heart of England's backline.