Maguire said Tuchel contacted the players who had missed out through individual video calls. The defender recalled receiving a message in the morning asking to speak later that afternoon, before being told he would not be part of England’s World Cup campaign.
The decision clearly hurt. Maguire believed his performances after returning from the March international break had strengthened his case.
“Achei que fui bem nos dois jogos e terminei forte a temporada”, Maguire said, while acknowledging that Tuchel had ultimately chosen to retain the defenders involved in England’s autumn qualification matches.
The explanation did little to soften the disappointment, but Maguire accepted that the manager had settled on a 26-man group he trusted.
Maguire also made clear that his ambition was not necessarily to start every match. He wanted the chance to contribute inside the squad and remain part of England’s campaign.
“Eu ficaria feliz jogando um minuto, desde que estivesse lá com os jogadores”, the defender said.
That admission underlined the emotional weight of the omission. Maguire has been a prominent figure for England across several major tournaments, and his absence represents a significant change in the team’s defensive hierarchy.
His public support before the semifinal suggested no desire to turn frustration into division. The message was small, but it carried importance: disappointment had not displaced his commitment to England.
Maguire has returned to pre-season work at Manchester United under Michael Carrick. His next task is to convert that disappointment into form, fitness and authority at club level.
England’s semifinal against Argentina will dominate the immediate storyline. For Maguire, the longer-term question is whether a strong campaign at United can put him back into Tuchel’s plans before the next major international window.