“Don’t Ever Speak of England Like That Again!” Harry Maguire Praised for Passionate Response After England Reach World Cup Quarter-Finals Despite His Omission

Harry Maguire has been widely praised for his passionate defense of England after he firmly hit back at a journalist during a podcast recording  just days after the Three Lions secured a dramatic quarter-final clash with Norway despite the Manchester United defender being brutally omitted from the squad.

The exchange came two days after England’s thrilling 3-2 victory over Mexico on July 5, which secured their place in the quarter-finals against Norway on July 11 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Maguire, a Manchester United player who was not selected for the tournament, sat down for a podcast appearance when a journalist posed a pointed question about his omission.

The journalist pressed: “Do you think England would have made it this far without you? And now with Quansah suspended and Livramento ruled out, do you think Tuchel has made a mistake leaving you behind?”

Rather than lashing out in anger, Maguire responded with controlled emotion, defending the squad he still clearly loves

“Don’t ever speak of England like that again! These lads have just reached the quarter-finals of a World Cup. I don’t care what you think about me this is about the team, about the country. Show some respect.”

The journalist attempted to interject, but Maguire continued: “You sit there and question these lads? They’ve just beaten Mexico with ten men. They’ve shown character, they’ve shown heart. And you want to ask me if Tuchel made a mistake? That’s not the question you should be asking. The question is: why aren’t you celebrating what these players have achieved?”

Fans and pundits alike have taken to social media to praise Maguire’s response, with many describing it as dignified, passionate, and a testament to his character.

One fan wrote on Twitter: “Harry Maguire could have easily used this moment to hit back at Tuchel and complain about his omission. Instead, he defended his teammates. That’s leadership right there.”

Another added: “Say what you want about Maguire on the pitch, but you cannot question his passion for England. He’s been left out of a World Cup squad and still jumps to defend them. Class act.”

Former England striker Gary Lineker, who hosts The Rest is Football podcast, commented: “Harry handled that with real dignity. He’s hurting, clearly, but he didn’t make it about himself. He made it about the team. That’s what England is about.”

England’s victory over Mexico at the Azteca Stadium set up a blockbuster quarter-final against Norway on July 11 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Jude Bellingham was named Man of the Match with a 9.1 rating, scoring twice to drag his side through despite Jarell Quansah’s controversial red card. Harry Kane also scored and provided an assist, while Jordan Pickford made several crucial saves.

However, the victory came at a significant cost. Jarell Quansah was shown a straight red card in the 54th minute for a studs-up challenge on Jesus Gallardo  a decision that has left England with a defensive headache ahead of the Norway clash. The Football Association are considering an appeal, but as it stands, Quansah faces a two-game ban that would rule him out of the quarter-final and potentially a semi-final if England progress.

To make matters worse for Tuchel, Tino Livramento has been ruled out of the tournament with injury, leaving the right-back position dangerously thin. Djed Spence is the only other recognised full-back in the squad, with first-choice Reece James already unavailable after injuring his hamstring in the second group match against Ghana.

Maguire’s passionate response comes just weeks after he was left “shocked and gutted” by Tuchel’s decision to omit him from the 26-man World Cup squad. The 33-year-old believed his strong season with Manchester United  helping them secure third place in the Premier League  had earned him a place on the plane.

Instead, Tuchel opted for John Stones, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Jarell Quansah, and Dan Burn as his centre-back options. The German boss explained he remained loyal to defenders who carried England through the autumn qualifying campaign. With Quansah now suspended and the squad stretched thin, the decision is facing increased scrutiny.

Maguire later revealed the devastating news came via an “awkward” FaceTime call from Tuchel, made worse when the media leaked his omission half an hour before he was personally informed. Speaking on Gary Lineker’s The Rest is Football podcast, he described the conversation: “We had a few words. I’m quite a big personality. I’m experienced. It was an honest conversation between us both. He really said that he can’t really give me an excuse. I thought I did enough to be in the squad.”

The initial omission sparked fierce reaction from Maguire’s family. His mother Zoe called the decision “absolutely disgusting” and “disgraceful” on social media, while his brother Joe branded it “possibly the worst decision I’ve ever seen.” His wife Fern added: “Beyond devastated for you. There was nothing else you could have possibly done to prove your worth.”

Tuchel later admitted he was “a bit surprised” by Maguire’s public reaction, given they had already spoken privately. The England boss said: “I was a bit surprised, but I respect his personality a lot. I respect his quality a lot. He had an outstanding season. I can see the disappointment. I can see the reason behind the disappointment.”

Despite the heartbreak and the intense exchange with the journalist, Maguire has not retired from international football. At 33, he told the podcast: “I don’t think I would retire from England. I still feel I have something to offer. Even one more cap would be worth it.”

For now, England march on to the quarter-finals without him  but Maguire remains fiercely protective of the team he still clearly loves. Whether Tuchel’s decision to leave him behind comes back to haunt the manager remains to be seen, especially with England now facing a defensive crisis ahead of their biggest game of the tournament. One thing is certain: Maguire’s passion for his country has not diminished one bit, even from the sidelines.