Manchester United defender Harry Maguire won’t be competing at the 2026 World Cup after being omitted from the England squad, but he will be appearing on podcasts as a pundit throughout the tournament.
Now that the 2025/26 season is over, there are many Manchester United players preparing for the World Cup.
There won’t be the same level of excitement for players like Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw after being left out of the England squad. Former Three Lions defender Kyle Walker thinks Thomas Tuchel made a mistake not selecting United’s defensive duo.
In turn, that means Maguire can rest over the summer and return for pre-season fully recharged after signing an extension to remain at Old Trafford.
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Harry Maguire lands podcast role for 2026 World Cup
Maguire is primed for a role at the 2026 World Cup despite being left out of Tuchel’s England squad.
It came as a blow for Maguire that he won’t be competing at the tournament this summer after finishing the season strongly for United. He was overlooked for players like Dan Burn, Jarrel Quansah and Djed Spence.
However, Maguire will be paying close attention to the World Cup as a pundit after agreeing to feature on The Rest is Football podcast during the competition.
The news comes after the weekly football podcast’s production firm Goalhanger had secured a £14 million agreement with Netflix for broadcast daily editions of the programme.
A total of 40 episodes have been promised with Gary Lineker, to be joined by Alan Shearer and Micah Richards in the studio in New York’s Times Square.
Lineker has told talkSPORT that Maguire agreed to be on the podcasts months ago, but the United defender requested a clause depending on whether he was in the England squad.
The former England forward believes Maguire was really unlucky to miss out.
“No, funny enough, we spoke to Harry quite some time ago when he was not playing at all,” Lineker said.
“He was really out of the picture completely. And it was funny at the time, because we did the deal with him months and months ago when he was going through that sticky spell at United.
“And he did ask for a clause, should he make the England squad. I thought to myself, you really don’t need that clause, Harry. If you’re picked, we’re going to be fine with it, don’t worry about it.
“So as it’s transpired, I think he’s been really unlucky actually, not to make the squad. I’m actually genuinely disappointed for him.”
- ⚡️ NEWS IN BRIEF
- Gary Lineker confirms Harry Maguire will be on his podcast for the 2026 World Cup
- Maguire was unlucky to miss out on a place in England’s squad
- Lineker felt disappointed over Maguire’s omission
Harry Maguire has been left out of England’s World Cup squad ❌🦁 did he deserve a spot on the plane?
Maguire has admitted he is "shocked and gutted". What are your thoughts on Tuchel's decision?😳
Harry Maguire could open door to future in punditry
A lot of footballers turn to punditry when they retire.
At 33, after signing a new deal at United, Maguire is not thinking about that yet.
But his role for the World Cup will give him a taste of what to expect if he does turn to broadcasting when he hangs up his boots.
Maguire could also turn to management or coaching, given the experience he has gained at the top of the game.
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