Maguire said Thomas Tuchel sent a message asking whether they could speak at 4pm, before informing him that he would not be part of England’s 26-man squad.
The defender said he told the England head coach that he was disappointed and felt he had done enough to be selected. Tuchel reportedly did not offer a specific reason, explaining that he was sticking with the four defenders who had helped England through the autumn internationals.
For Maguire, that made the decision particularly difficult. He believed his performances in both March matches had strengthened his case, before finishing the club season strongly after returning to favour at Manchester United.
Maguire had spent around 18 months outside the England picture because of injury and a loss of prominence at United. His recall for the March camp appeared to mark a significant step back towards the national team.
He also missed Euro 2024 because of fitness problems, although he featured under Lee Carsley before Tuchel’s appointment. His new United contract, which runs through 2027, had added to the sense that his club career was stabilising.
That progress was not enough to secure a place in the squad travelling to the United States, Canada and Mexico. Maguire was among several high-profile omissions, alongside players including Cole Palmer, Phil Foden and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Maguire has made clear that he does not intend to retire from international football. He still believes he can contribute and said even one more England cap would carry real significance.
Tuchel has reportedly acknowledged Maguire’s quality and understood his frustration, while standing by the selection.
The next England camp will reveal whether Maguire’s club form can reopen the conversation-or whether this omission marks the beginning of a permanent defensive changing of the guard.