Mainoo and Maguire Eye England World Cup Squad Places
In a new weekly series, Chief Football Writer John Cross provides his latest England player ratings for Thomas Tuchel's 2026 World Cup squad. The focus this week is on Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire, who are making a strong push for inclusion.
Tuchel's Contract Extension and Scouting Mission
During a week when Thomas Tuchel extended his contract beyond the World Cup, the England head coach attended a West Ham match. He could not have failed to be impressed by three key figures in Manchester United's revival: Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, and Kobbie Mainoo.
Maguire and Shaw were mainstays under former England boss Gareth Southgate, while Mainoo emerged as a star at the last European Championship. However, last year, Tuchel named England squads without a single Manchester United player, marking a significant fall from grace for one of the world's biggest clubs.
Harry Maguire's Resurgence
United veteran Harry Maguire, who will be 33 by the time of the World Cup, is out of contract this summer but has been instrumental in Michael Carrick's upturn in results. Is it too late for Maguire? He was essential for Southgate, and England missed his presence at the last Euros when he struggled with match fitness.
His calmness on the ball, threat from set-pieces, and aerial power in defence could still make him a valuable asset. Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa are favourites to start in the United States, with John Stones likely in the squad if fit. Dan Burn is also on Tuchel's radar, valued for his spirit and set-piece threat despite aesthetic concerns.
Maguire's pace is a concern, but his game reading means he is rarely caught out of position. The question remains: can both Burn and Maguire be selected?
Luke Shaw's Fitness Concerns
Shaw will be 31 during next summer's World Cup, with fitness long a worry for England. When fit, he is arguably England's best natural left-back. Southgate picked him at the last Euros despite his lack of fitness at the tournament's start, raising doubts about reliability for a 26-man squad.
Kobbie Mainoo's Rapid Rise
Mainoo was a revelation at the Euros, becoming a starter as the tournament progressed. His rise from United graduate to England star was rapid and significant. Exiled under Ruben Amorim due to lack of playtime, his return under Carrick makes him a must-pick alongside Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson.
Player Ratings from West Ham Draw
This week, Cross watched West Ham's draw with Manchester United, observing four players trying to impress Tuchel: Maguire, Mainoo, Shaw, and Jarrod Bowen. Here are his verdicts on their chances.
Kobbie Mainoo Analysis
Match rating: 6/10 – Not his best game, but he remains better than previous options, showing care and coolness on the ball.
Current form: 7/10 – His return is popular with United fans, and he looks reinvigorated after a difficult period. Specialises in ball protection and progression.
England squad rating: 7/10 – From no chance, he is rising fast and likely to feature in March friendlies.
Jarrod Bowen Analysis
Match rating: 8/10 – Excellent performance, key to West Ham's results and Tomas Soucek's goal.
Current form: 7/10 – Rediscovering form and confidence visibly.
England squad rating: 7/10 – In a straight fight with Noni Madueke for back-up right-sided role behind Bukayo Saka.
Full England Player Ratings
John Cross provides his latest ratings for each player's likelihood of making the squad, ranked out of 10 by position.
- Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford 10/10, Dean Henderson 8/10, Nick Pope 6/10, James Trafford 5/10, Aaron Ramsdale 3/10
- Right Backs: Reece James 9/10, Trent Alexander-Arnold 5/10, Rico Lewis 4/10, Ben White 3/10
- Left Backs: Nico O’Reilly 9/10, Lewis Hall 8/10, Tino Livramento 7/10, Luke Shaw 6/10, Djed Spence 6/10, Myles Lewis-Skelly 3/10, Jack Hinshelwood 2/10
- Central Defenders: Ezri Konsa 9/10, Marc Guehi 9/10, Jarell Quansah 8/10, John Stones 7/10, Dan Burn 7/10, Trevoh Chalobah 7/10, Harry Maguire 6/10, Jarrad Branthwaite 4/10, Levi Colwill 3/10
- Midfielders: Elliot Anderson 10/10, Declan Rice 10/10, Jordan Henderson 9/10, Kobbie Mainoo 7/10, Adam Wharton 6/10, Curtis Jones 6/10, Morgan Gibbs-White 6/10, Conor Gallagher 5/10, Mason Mount 4/10, Ruben Loftus-Cheek 3/10
- Right Forwards: Bukayo Saka 9/10, Noni Madueke 7/10, Jarrod Bowen 7/10
- Left Forwards: Anthony Gordon 8/10, Marcus Rashford 8/10, Eberechi Eze 5/10
- No10s: Morgan Rogers 9/10, Jude Bellingham 9/10, Phil Foden 7/10, Cole Palmer 7/10
- Strikers: Harry Kane 10/10, Ollie Watkins 8/10, Dominic Solanke 6/10, Danny Welbeck 6/10, Dominic Calvert-Lewin 6/10, Liam Delap 4/10
As the World Cup approaches, the competition for places intensifies, with Mainoo and Maguire among those making compelling cases for selection under Tuchel's watchful eye.
