7M - Rooney Backs Unlucky Maguire After World Cup Squad Omission

Wayne Rooney expressed his surprise regarding the England squad selection for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, focusing specifically on the absence of center back Harry Maguire. Speaking on his BBC podcast, the former international forward noted that Maguire was unfortunate to be excluded given his recent performances and suggested that manager Thomas Tuchel might have spoken with the Manchester United player beforehand to explain the decision.

While Rooney remarked that he would have chosen Maguire over Newcastle United defender Dan Burn, he emphasized his continued confidence in Tuchel tactical leadership. The German head coach is tasked with guiding England toward a title following their recent deep runs in major tournaments, as the nation pursues its first World Cup trophy since 1966.

The 33 year old Maguire confessed to feeling shocked and devastated by his exclusion from what would have been his third World Cup appearance. Despite facing intense public criticism throughout his career, the defender has accumulated 66 caps for England and holds the national record for the most goals scored by a defender with seven strikes, surpassing John Terry and Jack Charlton.

Rooney has historically defended Maguire, previously commending his resilience and strong mentality when the defender lost his starting role and the club captaincy at Manchester United. Although this omission stalls his international journey, historical precedents set by older English defenders mean the player could theoretically maintain targets for the 2030 tournament if his playing standards persist.