Tuchel sees other centre-backs ahead of Maguire as England confirm squad changes

Harry Maguire has work to do to force his way into Thomas Tuchel’s thinking for England’s World Cup squad.

Maguire returned to the fold for the Three Lions this month, after a string of impressive displays for Manchester United.

The centre-back played well against Uruguay on Friday, in a 1-1 friendly draw at Wembley.

However, while Tuchel was pleased with the 33-year-old’s performance, he suggested others are ahead of Maguire in his pecking order.

As quoted by Mail Sport, Tuchel said: “I haven’t changed my mind [on Maguire], but I see other players I like to start for us, I see other players ahead with a different profile.

“I see Ezri Konsa ahead. I see Marc Guehi ahead. It’s no secret. I see Trevoh Chalobah, on the level of mobility, was slightly ahead of him. Also, John Stones, but he had injuries.

“I needed to meet [Maguire] in person to see how he acts within the group.

“It will be interesting now to see how he acts within the group. He will stay with us. He has an asset that can also be super-important in a tournament, in knockout football, in defending a lead and chasing a game with crosses and long throw-ins and set-pieces.

“I got exactly what I thought (against Uruguay). Solid, solid central-defender play. That’s what he does. Very good on the ball, very calm, strong in the air and the weapon for set-pieces.”

A revised #ThreeLions squad of 27 players are preparing for Tuesday’s fixture with Japan at @WembleyStadium.

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— England (@England) March 28, 2026

On Saturday, England confirmed an updated, 27-man squad for their friendly against Japan.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Aaron Ramsdale and Fikayo Tomori have all left the camp, while Noni Madueke and Adam Wharton have returned to Arsenal and Crystal Palace, respectively, after sustaining knocks. John Stones, meanwhile, has returned to Manchester City.

Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, meanwhile, will return to Arsenal for medical assessments. They were part of an 11-strong contingent of players that only joined the squad on Friday.

Harry Kane, Anthony Gordon, Dan Burn, Elliot Anderson, Nico O’Reilly, Dean Henderson, Morgan Rogers, Konsa and Guehi were the other players to join the camp.

James Garner, who was named Player of the Match against Uruguay on his senior debut, has retained his place.