Harry Maguire has set his sights firmly on the global stage, declaring he is “desperate” to secure a place in England national team’s squad for this summer’s World Cup.
After weathering a turbulent spell, the centre-back has staged a timely comeback with Manchester United: a resurgence that earned him a long-awaited international recall in March, his first in 18 months.
He featured prominently in the friendlies, completing 90 minutes against Uruguay before making a late appearance in the narrow defeat to Japan.
Rewinding the tape, Maguire’s international journey hit a low point during the clash with Scotland in 2023, where an own goal and hostile crowd reaction marked a difficult chapter.
However, in true defensive grit, he has battled back into contention just as Thomas Tuchel reshapes his squad ahead of the tournament.
Still, competition remains fierce. With names like Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, John Stones and Trevoh Chalobah ahead in the pecking order, Maguire knows he must continue to prove his worth.
“Of course, I’m desperate to go,” Maguire said. “I think it would be my last World Cup for my country. I’ve been to two. I missed out on the Euros two years ago through injury, which just hurt a lot really.
“So I’m desperate to go, whatever role the manager would want me for, whether that’s starting or whether it’s deciding games late on.
“I still believe, even at my age, I’m arguably one of the best defenders in the world in both boxes. I don’t think that’s in question really.
“That can be really effective later on in games, whether you’re holding on to a lead or trying to chase a game.
“I still think there’s an important part that I can play, that I can help. If that’s the case, I’m sure the manager will pick me if he believes the same. We’ll see.”
As the countdown to the World Cup intensifies, Maguire’s experience and aerial dominance could yet prove decisive.
Whether starting from the first whistle or coming in clutch late on, the defender is clearly ready to battle for one last shot on football’s biggest stage.
Toosin is a dedicated sports writer with a strong background in crafting engaging and insightful content. With experience at Goal, he has developed a sharp editorial sense and a refined storytelling approach that brings depth and perspective to sports journalism. His passion for the game goes beyond the headlines, as he captures both the excitement of the sport and the compelling human narratives behind each event. Toosin’s work resonates with a broad and diverse audience, making global sports stories accessible, relatable, and impactful.
