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10 June 2026

Former England captain John Terry has voiced strong criticism of England manager Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad selection, claiming that nearly half of the 26-man roster does not possess the calibre required to triumph at the tournament.

Tuchel, known for making bold and sometimes controversial decisions, opted to omit notable names such as Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, and Harry Maguire from the squad that landed in the United States last week.

Both Foden and Palmer endured disappointing seasons for their respective clubs and underperformed during the March international fixtures. Their dip in form opened the door for Morgan Rogers and Jude Bellingham to secure their places in the squad.

Speaking on the programme Sports Uncensored, Terry remarked, “I just feel you’ve got to take your best players. There are only around 13 to 15 players who can really play if we’re serious about winning this World Cup.”

He added, “When I look at the rest of the squad, I’m not convinced they will challenge or push the players who are actually going to be on the pitch.”

Although Terry praised Tuchel for showing the courage to make “big decisions,” he insisted that the team would have benefited from more seasoned players, particularly the likes of Maguire and Luke Shaw, taking up key positions.

He further explained, “We’re looking at [Nico] O’Reilly stepping in at left-back for his first major international tournament. I think someone like him would really benefit from having Luke Shaw around — someone to guide him, help him settle, and offer advice because he represents our future for upcoming World Cups. Cole Palmer’s omission is another significant decision.”

Terry went on to say, “I believe he’s got three or four major calls wrong when it comes to the lineup. You need your best players as you progress deeper into these World Cups.”

Discussing Maguire, Terry stated, “For me, he’s a better player than Dan Burn. If injuries occur — say John Stones has to step up — I’d much prefer having Harry Maguire as the option coming in. I’d have Maguire in the team every single day of the week.”

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, James Trafford

Defenders: Reece James, Tino Livramento, John Stones, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Dan Burn, Jarell Quansah, Djed Spence, Nico O’Reilly

Midfielders: Elliott Anderson, Jordan Henderson, Declan Rice, Kobbie Mainoo, Eberechi Eze, Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers