Harry Maguire has become one of the most talked-about figures around the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite not kicking a single ball in the tournament.
The former Manchester United captain and long-time England international has been making headlines in New York City after appearing at fan events, handing out World Cup sticker albums and meeting supporters from across the globe, only days after being omitted from Thomas Tuchel’s England squad.
England entered the 2026 FIFA World Cup as one of the 48 participating nations competing across the United States, Mexico and Canada. However, when Tuchel announced his final 26-man squad, Maguire’s name was notably absent, ending his hopes of representing the Three Lions on football’s biggest stage this summer.
The decision came as a major surprise to many supporters given Maguire’s experience and his long-standing role within the national team setup. The defender later admitted he was both shocked and disappointed after learning that he would not be travelling with England as part of the official squad.
Speaking on Gary Lineker’s popular football podcast, “The Rest is Football,” Maguire revealed that he had an awkward video conversation with Tuchel in which he was informed that he would not be included in England’s World Cup plans.
Rather than staying away from the tournament altogether, the 33-year-old chose to travel to the United States, where he immersed himself in the World Cup atmosphere by attending fan engagement events and supporting promotional activities linked to the competition.
One of the most widely shared moments came in New York’s Rockefeller Center, where Maguire partnered with Panini, the famous sticker company associated with major football tournaments. Videos circulating on social media showed him distributing free World Cup stickers, posing for photographs and chatting with surprised supporters.
In one viral clip, a Panini staff member tells approaching fans: “Yeah, they’re free. It’s Harry Maguire that’s in there.”
The reaction was immediate.
“Oh my God, that’s Harry Maguire,” one supporter exclaimed.
Another asked in disbelief: “What is Harry Maguire doing here?”
Moments later, a fan could be heard saying: “Bro, what is going on? There’s no way we just met Harry Maguire.”
The defender also visited a Manchester United-themed fan venue near Times Square, where he participated in a meet-and-greet session and answered questions from supporters.
Sharing photos from the trip on Instagram, Maguire wrote: “Always good to see the fans around the world.”
The images quickly generated widespread discussion online. While many praised him for remaining engaged with football supporters despite his World Cup disappointment, others questioned whether a player of his stature should have been spending the tournament period differently.
Former Denmark goalkeeper and football analyst Peter Schmeichel was among those who criticized the situation.
“I didn’t want to believe it until I saw the pictures and videos. Even then I was surprised,” Schmeichel said.
“Selling stickers at a World Cup won’t help your professional journey. He should have been one of the players on the pitch, but instead he is doing something completely different.”
He continued: “It is embarrassing, honestly. Other players are supporting teammates and preparing for matches while he is involved in commercial activities. I’m not surprised he wasn’t selected.”
Not everyone agreed with that assessment.
Many supporters viewed Maguire’s presence in New York as a positive response to a difficult personal setback. Social media users praised him for staying connected with fans and maintaining a professional attitude despite missing out on the tournament.
One fan joked: “After hearing he was left out, Harry Maguire probably said, ‘Fine, I’ll sell the stickers instead.’”
Another wrote: “He probably thinks they’ll still call him if someone gets injured.”
A third supporter offered a more sympathetic perspective, noting that missing a World Cup squad can be devastating for any player but arguing that Maguire’s willingness to spend time with fans demonstrated class and professionalism.
The trip comes after a solid season for Manchester United. Under manager Michael Carrick, Maguire re-established himself as a reliable starter and important figure within the squad. He finished the campaign with one goal and two assists while delivering several consistent performances at the heart of United’s defence.
Meanwhile, England began their World Cup campaign with an entertaining 4-2 victory over Croatia in Dallas and are now preparing for a crucial clash against Ghana in Massachusetts.
With defenders Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Jarell Quansah, Dan Burn and John Stones selected ahead of him, Maguire’s international future remains uncertain. Yet his unexpected appearance in New York has ensured that he remains firmly in the spotlight, proving that even away from the pitch, he continues to attract attention wherever he goes.
