Harry Maguire has made an emotional return to the England setup following an 18-month absence from international football.
The Manchester United centre-back, now 33, received his first selection under manager Thomas Tuchel and is hopeful of featuring when the Three Lions face Uruguay at Wembley tomorrow evening.
The defender's last appearance in an England shirt came against Ireland back in September 2024.
England won all eight of their qualifying matches for the World Cup without conceding a single goal during Maguire's absence.
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The 64-cap veteran admitted there were moments when he genuinely believed his international career had reached its conclusion.
The dramatic sequence of events unfolded last Thursday when Maguire received a WhatsApp message from Tuchel just moments before Manchester United's flight departed for their Premier League fixture against Bournemouth.
Unable to respond immediately, the defender spent an anxious 40 minutes in the air, uncertain whether the England boss was calling to deliver good news or to inform him he had narrowly missed selection.
Maguire said: "When I received the text I was just about to take off, so I texted him back, saying 'just about to take off to Bournemouth."
Harry Maguire has made an emotional return to the England setup following an 18-month absence from international football
|GETTY
He added: "I was on the plane obviously thinking... that 40 minutes was a long flight to Bournemouth! I didn't know if he was ringing me up and saying you've just missed out."
The defender was convinced that failing to make this particular squad would have spelled the end of his England career.
He said: "I knew if I missed this camp I don't think I would have been back in the England set-up."
Once confirmation arrived that he had been included in Tuchel's 35-man squad for the friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, Maguire immediately contacted his family with the news.
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Harry Maguire received his first selection under manager Thomas Tuchel
|GETTY
His mother, who was holidaying in Spain with his nephew at the time, broke down in tears upon hearing her son would be representing his country once again.
Maguire recalled: "My mum rang me up crying, bless her. She was in Spain on holidays with my nephew and she rang me up crying.
"I don't know how many drinks she'd had!"
Despite accumulating 64 caps and appearing at three major tournaments, the defender described the sensation as reminiscent of receiving his maiden international call-up.
World Cup draw 2026: How are the groups shaping up? | GB NEWSHe said: "It felt a bit like my first call-up really.
"I've played 60-odd games for England, been to three major tournaments but when you're in the moment and you're playing every game for England... you don't want to say you take it for granted but you get comfortable with the set-up. And then when it's taken away from you all of a sudden, it hurts."
At this stage of his career, Maguire insists personal accolades are no longer his priority.
He said: "I'm in a position now in my career where it is not so much about myself. I'm 33. If I play one minute at the World Cup or every game, I will do everything to make sure this country is successful."
The defender remains focused solely on contributing to England's World Cup ambitions this summer, whether from the pitch or the dressing room.
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