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Thomas Tuchel has been urged to rethink his World Cup plans when it comes to Harry Maguire, with former England full-back Michael Gray explaining to GOAL why the Manchester United centre-half is worth his “weight in gold” to the Three Lions cause. German tactician Tuchel has some important selection decisions to make ahead of a global meeting in North America this summer.
Debut in 2017: How many caps has Maguire played for England?
At one point it appeared, after briefly threatening to get lost in the desert, that Maguire was destined to miss a boarding pass for the plane carrying a star-studded team to FIFA’s flagship event.
However, he was welcomed in from the cold during the March 2026 international window and featured in friendly matches at Wembley against Uruguay and Japan, taking his senior cap tally to 66.
Many of them have been acquired in major tournaments, having played in two World Cups and one European Championship, helping England reach a semi-final in 2018 and a final against Italy in 2021.
Talent pool: Competition for center back spot in England squad
He has never let his country down, in the midst of strange
Those qualities may be needed again in the coming weeks, with the Three Lions hoping to fight their way to a first major title in men’s football since 1966. Tuchel has
No nonsense: Why Maguire would be ‘perfect’ for England’s World Cup quest
He has never let his country down, amid strange questions being asked about his form at club level and being stripped of captaincy duties at Old Trafford, and his vast experience and no-nonsense approach to defense is seen as having served England well over the years.
Those qualities may be needed again in the coming weeks, with the Three Lions hoping to fight their way to a first major title in men’s football since 1966. Tuchel has hinted he will rely on others, with the likes of Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, Dan Burn, John Stones, Trevoh Chalobah, Fikayo Tomori and Jarell Quansah also floating in a deepening talent pool.
Completion date: When should Tuchel name his team for the 2026 World Cup?
There is a clear lack of tournament knowledge within that group, which could end up working in Maguire’s favour. Gray believes the imposing 33-year-old, who has signed a new contract in Manchester, should get the nod.
To explain that opinion, the former Sunderland and Wolves full-back, who won three caps, speaking exclusively to GOAL courtesy of casinocanada – said: “I think he’s been excellent for Man United this season, but I think having that experience in the dressing room is absolutely huge – along with maybe Jordan Henderson, it looks like he’ll probably be part of the World Cup squad as well.
“Just having that experience, those old bosses, those people who have been there, seen it and done it before, they are worth their weight in gold and, knowing Harry and Jordan, they are the perfect partnership to steady the ship if something seems to go wrong on a strange day.
“I think it’s perfect to be around them, and they will do Thomas Tuchel’s job for him, and I think that’s what Thomas has taken on. He can’t do everything alone, he and his coaches can’t do everything alone, so I think having people like Harry and Jordan in the hotel, in the meeting rooms, in the games rooms, etc., I think it keeps everyone in balance, so it’s very important to have those types of players around.”
