Kyle Walker believes Thomas Tuchel missed a trick by not selecting Luke Shaw for the World Cup as part of England’s 26-man squad.
The England squad for the 2026 World Cup contains just two Manchester United players.
Thomas Tuchel selected Kobbie Mainoo following his impressive 5-month spell under Michel Carrick, while Marcus Rashford made the cut after impressing on loan at Barcelona with 28 goal contributions across all competitions.
This means that there were England internationals who were overlooked by Tuchel, including Mason Mount, which wasn’t a surprise given he made just 25 appearances in the past season.
Do Manchester United need to replace Luke Shaw this summer?
Or do you trust Harry Amass and Patrick Dorgu going forward👀
Kyle Walker argues Luke Shaw’s World Cup snub has been forgotten
The two biggest omissions from United’s first team squad were Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw, though former England defender Kyle Walker believes the latter’s snub has been forgotten by pundits far and wide.
Walker also stressed that Dan Burn’s selection ahead of Maguire came as a surprise.
“That one shocked me [Dan Burn] especially over Harry Maguire,” Walker told talkSPORT.
“I think people forget Luke Shaw. Luke Shaw’s had a fantastic year for Manchester United.
“To be in the tournaments that Luke Shaw has been in as well. And okay, probably he’s not got the legs of Djed Spence or Livramento, but his experience and you could probably sit him next to the centre halves and let Reece James go a little bit higher.”
This is not the first time Walker has questioned Tuchel for snubbing the United duo.
United fans will hope Maguire and Shaw channel their frustration by performing consistently for United next season.
- ⚡️ NEWS IN BRIEF
- Kyle Walker is still in disbelief over Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw being overlooked for England’s 2026 World Cup campaign
- Walker hails Shaw’s efforts over the past season
- Another United player overlooked was Mason Mount
Which FORMER Man Utd player are you most intrigued to watch at the World Cup…?
There are more ex-United players at the tournament than current ones! 🌎
When does the World Cup kick-off for Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford?
The England squad – containing Mainoo and Rashford — is already US-bound.
Mainoo and Rashford will be in contention to play in England’s opener against Croatia next Wednesday at 21:00 (UK time).
That match will be followed by group stage fixtures against Ghana and Panama.
The Three Lions will be hoping to book a place in the World Cup knockout stages.
Luke Shaw’s World Cup record
After emerging as a talented 18-year-old at Southampton, Roy Hodgson selected Shaw for the 2014 World Cup as a teenage prodigy.
England were knocked out in the group stage of the tournament, with Shaw making one appearance.
The left-back missed out on a call-up to the England squad four years ago due to a leg break playing for United.
Shaw was overlooked again in 2018, but he was England’s primary left-back in 2022, starting all five matches.
After missing out on the 2026 World Cup at the age of 30, the 2028 European Championship could be his last chance at a major international tournament.
Luke Shaw’s World Cup stats
- Appearances: 6
- Goals: 1
- Assists: 0
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