Euro 2024: Southgate Explains Grealish, Maguire, Maddison’s Squad Omissions

Gareth Southgate has explained the reason behind his 26-player Euro 2024 squad, in which he included Luke Shaw but excluded Harry Maguire, Jack Grealish and James Maddison.

Maguire has played a major part in all three of England’s previous tournament squads under his leadership and may have been fit to play some part in Germany, but Southgate told reporters the “balance” of his squad would be undermined by taking him.

He also explained why Grealish will not feature in the travelling party despite an impressive cameo, and assist, against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Monday night and why Maddison, who tweeted he felt he could have “offered something different” following his omission, also will not be on the plane.

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Southgate also disclosed that he named his Euro 2024 squad early so his players could keep their “heads clear” and focus on Friday’s game against Iceland.

Southgate has until Friday at 23:00 BST to confirm his 26-man group, but named his squad on Thursday, a day before his side’s final warm-up match.

“I didn’t want to keep the players waiting until Friday – that would have been a mess, really,” Southgate told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“It wouldn’t have been fair on the players that we’ve released and wouldn’t have been fair on the players that were waiting to have confirmation they were in.”