Tomas Tuxel dropped star players from the England squad
The final squad announced by England's national team for the 2026 World Cup has sparked intense debate among football fans worldwide, as reported by Zamin.uz.
Due to unexpected decisions by head coach Tomas Tuxel, several well-known stars were left out of the main roster. This situation has provoked not only strong reactions from supporters but also widespread criticism and questions from experts and journalists.
The biggest controversy stems from the omission of top players such as Harry Maguire, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Cole Palmer, and Phil Foden. Given that these footballers have long been considered the face of English football, Tuxel's selection is being viewed as a major gamble.
Local media outlets have already described the list as shocking. In particular, Cole Palmer's exclusion from the World Cup has surprised many.
What makes this even more striking is that, just last December, Tomas Tuxel, during the process of determining the world's best footballer, rated Palmer as the second-best player after Harry Kane. Yet, shortly afterward, the coach chose not to include the very player he had highly praised in the squad for the most important tournament—creating a clear logical contradiction.
Tomas Tuxel responded to the criticism directed at him, expressing full confidence that his chosen path is correct. According to him, the national team is not composed of the most individually talented players, but rather the most suitable footballers who can function effectively as a cohesive unit.
A German expert emphasized that, in Tuxel's view, tactical discipline and balance on the pitch take precedence over names and star status. Harry Maguire's absence from the squad has also become a separate topic of discussion.
The experienced defender did not hide his deep disappointment over the decision on his social media pages. Maguire has been a regular starter for the national team since 2017 and has participated in several major tournaments.
Additionally, for the first time since 1986, England's squad includes no representative from Liverpool—a fact recorded as a historical event. According to One.uz, this year's squad comprises players from a total of 16 different clubs.
While trust has been placed in goalkeepers Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford, and James Trafford, significant changes are also noticeable in the defensive and midfield lines. In attack, experienced players such as Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, and Marcus Rashford are expected to serve as the team's primary striking force.
