Thomas Tuchel told which centre-backs to drop in order to play Harry Maguire at 2026 World Cup

England boss Thomas Tuchel has been told Harry Maguire should be picked ahead of Dan Burn and Trevoh Chalobah at the 2026 World Cup.

Maguire earned an England call-up for the first time since 2024 earlier this month as Tuchel assesses his squad options ahead of the summer showpiece in North America.

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And the Manchester United centre-back played the full 90 minutes in Friday’s 1-1 draw with Uruguay.

The returning Ben White opened the scoring late on for the Three Lions, before conceding a late penalty that was duly dispatched by Federico Valverde.

Despite an impressive showing, Maguire appears to be fifth-choice centre-back at international level.

“I got exactly what I thought, solid, solid central defender play. That’s what he does,” Tuchel said of the 33-year-old.

“Very good on the ball, very calm, strong in the air and in the weapon for set-pieces. I haven’t changed my mind 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, so he needed to come to camp.“

The topic of Maguire and England came up on Sunday Edition with Shaun Custis and Henry Winter on talkSPORT.

And Custis threw his backing behind Maguire, believing that ‘it’s not even a debate’ that the United centre-back should be ahead of others in the England pecking order.

Kicking off the show, Winter said: “If you were watching at Wembley, you would have seen some of the players that Eddie Howe has developed, or help develop.

“Livramento, Lewis Hall, even Dan Burn. He’s turned Dan Burn into an England international.”

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To which Custis replied: “He’s more likely to go to the World Cup than some others who you think might be going to the World Cup.”

Up the Mags

Both were then discussing Tuchel’s centre-back comments, before Custis continued: “Dan Burn’s ahead of Maguire, but as much as Dan Burn is a Newcastle player, I think Maguire did really well on Friday night.

“I think he’s got his confidence back. I think he’s an important player to have on board.”

Winter then added: “And what else does he do? Good penalty taker. Harry Kane, one. Harry Maguire, two.”

“And good at set pieces too,” Custis replied. “That strikes me (as) even more bizarre.”

Winter then asked whether Custis would have Maguire ahead of Burn and Chalobah, to which he replied: “Yes. Yeah definitely. I don’t think it’s even a debate.”

Custis’ comments suggest that he’d have Maguire as fourth choice centre-back at the World Cup this summer behind Stones, Guehi and Konsa.

Maguire’s resilience

Tony Cascarino also backed Maguire to overcome Tuchel’s admission that the United man is fifth choice for England, the former striker believing that the centre-back’s experience in this position will stand him in good stead.

Speaking with Shebahn Aherne on the Weekend Sport Breakfast on talkSPORT, Cascarino began: “At Manchester United, under [Erik] Ten Hag and Ruben Amorim, he’s been fifth choice at times, which he has.

“He was fifth choice for Erik ten Hag in the FA Cup final. He was fifth choice, certainly, when they played a back three and you could put [Victor] Lindelof, [Matthijs] De Ligt, [Lisandro] Martinez, Leny Yoro all in front of him.

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“And do you know what Harry did every time? He won his place back.

“So fair credit to Harry Maguire because he might be fifth choice with England, but if he (Tuchel) does take him, he might end up playing. That’s the inspiration.”

Cascarino then pointed to Maguire’s impressive showing against Uruguay last week, adding: “The stand out feature of Friday night was Harry’s performance and if you read what Thomas Tuchel said afterwards, was in praise about all the things he did well.

“The way he carried the ball, he was a leader, the amount of balls he won aerially, and yes there will be concerns because he talks about having pace behind him.

“If I was Harry, and I’m sure he won’t, I’d do what I did at Man United, I’ll keep my head down, and somewhere along the line, I’ll get my opportunity.”

Maguire ‘experience’ key

Former Bolton striker Kevin Davies joined Shebahn Aherne and Cascarino on Sunday morning, and the 49-year-old also backed taking Maguire to the World Cup owing to his ‘experience’ in the game.

“You can’t just take those players that haven’t got much experience,” Davies started. “The big time tournaments, the big games come along, the nerves creep up.

“You need players in there like Harry Maguire, calming and experienced, and someone like [Jordan] Henderson in there as well.

“I think it’s important he gets that balance right. A bit of experience, but, for me, blood the young players and give them a go.”

Maguire is expected to drop out of the England XI for Tuesday’s game against Japan, with Burn tipped to partner Guehi in midweek.