Harry Maguire will not be part of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad at the World Cup, but the Manchester United defender is still set to have a visible role around the tournament.
The 33-year-old has been lined up as a guest on Gary Lineker’s The Rest is Football podcast during the competition.
That does not change the selection decision. It does, however, keep one of England’s most notable omissions close to the public conversation.
Harry Maguire remains part of the England conversation
Maguire was left out despite being recalled to the international fold in March, which made the final call more striking.
His own reaction then gave the decision wider attention. Maguire said he was “shocked and gutted” and believed he “could of played a major part this summer”.
Tuchel later described that statement as “unnecessary”, adding another layer to what had already become a sensitive selection issue.
The important point is not that Maguire’s media role changes anything for England. Tuchel has picked his squad, and the tournament now belongs to those selected.
Gary Lineker booking keeps the subplot alive
The Rest is Football, hosted by Lineker, Micah Richards and Alan Shearer, is being streamed by Netflix during the World Cup.
That gives Maguire a platform while England are competing without him. It also means the story is unlikely to disappear once the tournament starts.
For Tuchel, the cleanest version of this situation would have been a decision made and then left behind. That now looks less likely.
Maguire is not going to the World Cup as an England player. But his presence around the coverage means his omission remains part of England’s wider tournament backdrop.
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