Not good enough?! England told they are carrying 11 players as ex-Three Lions captain John Terry assesses Thomas Tuchel's World Cup squad

Published Jun. 9, 2026 3:40 p.m. ET

GOAL

Terry questions squad depth

Former England captain Terry has torn into Tuchel's squad selection for the World Cup after the Three Lions boss opted to leave a number of big names at home. The whole group is now together in the States after the four Arsenal players - Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke - were afforded extra time off after the Champions League final, with the 26-man squad locked in and ready to go.

However, speaking on

"I just think you need to have your best players there," Terry said. "There's only 13, 14 or 15 players that can play if we're going to win this World Cup. When I look at the rest of the squad I'm not sure they're going to push the players who are going to be playing."

Big names left behind

There was significant debate when Tuchel named his squad, particularly around the

"First of all, I really like him (Tuchel)," Terry said. "Obviously, seeing his work around Chelsea, when he was there… he brought success for us in the Champions League as well. And what I like about him, he's not afraid to make these big decisions, and I think we've seen that in his squad. Now, that's something I disagree with actually, in terms of the players that he's not picked for this World Cup."

The Maguire and Shaw debate

Terry was particularly vocal about the

"Maguire being one, the first one. Shaw at left back. We're looking at O'Reilly coming at left back," Terry explained. "I think someone like him needs someone like Shaw around the place to help him, settle him, give him a little bit of advice because he is the future of us in our next World Cups coming up. Cole Palmer is the next big decision as well. So I think he's got it wrong in three or four big decisions on the pitch, actually. I think you need your best players, the further you get in these World Cups."