Thomas Tuchel, the manager of the England national team, has assured Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo that he will get a chance to play for the national team soon, following his exclusion from the entire World Cup tournament last summer. Mainoo, 21, was one of England's most promising young players, having had a strong end to the 2022-23 season with United. He was expected to be a key part of the midfield, especially with Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson also in the mix. However, Tuchel opted to use other players in central midfield roles, including Jude Bellingham, Eberechi Eze, and even right-back Reece James, which led to Mainoo not playing a single minute in England's run to third place at the World Cup. Mainoo’s exclusion was heavily criticized by fans and pundits during the tournament, who felt he was being unfairly overlooked despite his strong performances in club play. However, he will now have the opportunity to prove himself in the upcoming Nations League campaign, where he has been included in the England squad. Tuchel has since addressed the controversy, clarifying that his decision not to play Mainoo was not due to any lack of effort or performance from the young midfielder. In a press conference, Tuchel admitted the decision was his responsibility and expressed regret over not giving Mainoo a chance. "I expect him to be on the pitch and it's my duty to put him on the pitch," Tuchel said when asked about Mainoo’s playing time during the international break. He acknowledged that Mainoo had performed well in training and behaved professionally throughout the World Cup. Tuchel also noted that other players, such as Bellingham, Eze, and Rice, were trusted more in central midfield roles. He added that Mainoo had suffered an injury before the third-place play-off against France, which prevented him from even getting on the pitch in that match—a situation that Tuchel admitted was disappointing. The England squad for the Nations League campaign in September and October 2026 includes a mix of players from top clubs across Europe. Goalkeepers include Jordan Pickford (Everton), Jason Steele (Brighton), and James Trafford (Leeds United). Defenders such as Trent Alexander-Arnold (Real Madrid) and Marc Guehi (Manchester City) are also in the squad, along with midfielders like Declan Rice (Arsenal) and Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United). Forwards include Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) and Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), among others. The inclusion of Mainoo in this squad represents a clear opportunity for him to prove his worth and secure a place in the national team.