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Why Mainoo Never Earned Tuchel's Trust
Kobbie Mainoo entered the 2026 FIFA World Cup with high expectations after an impressive finish to the club season helped Manchester United secure Champions League qualification. Many believed the talented midfielder would play an important role for England, particularly with Declan Rice dealing with fitness concerns. Instead, Mainoo watched every match from the sidelines without playing a single minute.
According to new reports, Thomas Tuchel initially considered giving Mainoo an opportunity during England's second group-stage match against Ghana. The young midfielder reportedly trained alongside Elliot Anderson in central midfield as Rice struggled physically, leading many inside the camp to believe he was set to feature in the starting lineup.
However, Tuchel ultimately changed his mind after reportedly being unconvinced by what he saw during training sessions. Despite Mainoo's technical quality and strong club form, the England manager continued to rely on his experienced options, even as the tournament progressed and England searched for fresh energy in midfield.
Reports also suggested Mainoo appeared increasingly frustrated throughout the World Cup. He was frequently seen leaving the stadium alone shortly after matches, often wearing headphones, while other teammates remained together. Those observations fueled speculation that the Manchester United midfielder was disappointed with his lack of involvement.
The uncertainty surrounding Tuchel's plans became even more noticeable later in the tournament. With Rice battling fitness issues and Jordan Henderson unavailable through injury, many expected Mainoo to finally receive his opportunity. Instead, Tuchel experimented with defender Reece James in midfield, a decision that left many supporters and analysts questioning why one of England's most promising midfielders remained unused.
England's disappointing World Cup campaign has placed several managerial decisions under intense scrutiny, and Tuchel's handling of Kobbie Mainoo has become one of the tournament's biggest talking points. Whether the midfielder simply failed to convince the coaching staff or never truly fit into Tuchel's tactical vision, his complete absence from the field will likely remain one of the defining selection debates following England's painful World Cup exit.
