Harry Maguire has spoken candidly about the 'awkward' FaceTime call he received from manager Thomas Tuchel that effectively ended his hopes of playing at the 2026 World Cup. Despite being left out of England’s squad for the tournament, the Manchester United centre-back has made it clear that he has no intention of retiring from international football as the Three Lions begin their quest for global success.

The experienced defender admitted he was left stunned and devastated by the omission. At 33, Maguire had just completed a strong season for Manchester United under Michael Carrick and anticipated a call-up after impressing during the March international fixtures. However, Tuchel opted instead for John Stones, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Jarell Quansah, and Dan Burn in his final 26-man squad.

Recalling the difficult moment, Maguire shared the details during an appearance on The Rest is Football podcast. He explained that Tuchel chose to deliver the news personally through FaceTime. 'He FaceTimed everyone. It was quite an awkward call. I got a text asking if he could speak to me around 4 pm. It’s a unique way of doing it, and it must be hard because he can see everyone’s reaction,' Maguire said.

'I told him straightaway that I was really disappointed. I thought I had done enough to be in the squad and believed I could contribute both on and off the pitch. He said he couldn’t give me an excuse but had decided to go with the four lads who helped him through the autumn.'

Maguire admitted that the decision was tough to accept, especially after being selected for the March camp under Tuchel and performing well in both matches. 'I really thought I’d be in the squad after that. Then I went back to United and finished the season very strongly,' he added.

Even after the major setback, the 66-cap defender has stayed in touch with senior England players such as Harry Kane, Declan Rice, and Jordan Pickford, continuing to offer his support. Maguire insisted he remains committed to representing his country, even though Tuchel is expected to remain in charge through Euro 2028. 'I don’t think I would retire from England. I still feel I have something to offer. There will come a time when I don’t deserve to be picked, but even then I probably wouldn’t officially retire. If I get one more cap, it would still be worth it,' he stated.

As England prepare for the World Cup without him, Maguire now turns his focus back to Manchester United. With the Red Devils set to return to the Champions League in the 2026–27 season, the defender plans to use the off-season to recharge and maintain his fine club form. Demonstrating consistency and durability in the Premier League will be crucial if he hopes to reclaim a place in the England setup later this year.

How far can England go in the World Cup without the experienced defender at the back?