Dropped from England's World Cup squad, Harry Maguire promotes stickers in New York

Harry Maguire's absence from England's final squad for the 2026 World Cup has surprised many in the football world. Despite a strong season with Manchester United, where he played 23 Premier League matches, the defender was not among the 26 players selected by coach Thomas Tuchel.

Instead of stepping back, Maguire was spotted in New York City's Rockefeller Center participating in a promotional event for Panini, the official tournament collectible firm. He was photographed distributing sticker packs and albums to passersby from a branded van, engaging with fans in a relaxed atmosphere amidst the World Cup fervor.

Maguire also met with Manchester United fans in a bar near Times Square, reaffirming his connection with supporters despite his lack of participation in the official competition. He documented his experience on social media, stating, "It's always a pleasure to see fans from all over the world."

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It's a rather unique way of doing it; it probably makes it more difficult for himself seeing our reactions.

Describing his exclusion, Maguire recounted a "complex" and "uncomfortable" conversation with the German coach via FaceTime. He explained on The Rest is Football podcast that the direct video call method likely made the situation more difficult for the coach as well, given the need to witness the players' reactions.

Maguire, who was a key player in the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, joins other notable omissions such as Phil Foden, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Cole Palmer. Coach Tuchel opted for a defensive lineup including Marc Guéhi, Jarrel Quansah, Ezri Konsa, Dan Burn, and John Stones.

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It's always a pleasure to see fans from all over the world.