After Harry Maguire received the verdict regarding the charges against him from 2020, the Manchester United defender's hopes of playing in the World Cup may have been impacted
Patrick Austen-Hardy Senior Sports Journalist
19:13, 04 Mar 2026
Harry Maguire has 64 England caps to his name
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Harry Maguire has 64 England caps to his name(Image: Getty Images)
England may have an issue ahead of the World Cup, as Harry Maguire will have to declare his recent conviction on any visa application for the United States, Mexico and Canada competition.
Six years after he was arrested in Greece, Maguire saw charges of non-serious assault, resisting arrest and attempted bribery be upheld by Greek courts. The Manchester United defender was thus handed a 15-month and 20 day sentence as well as a €1,500 fine.
Maguire denies all of the charges and has instructed his legal representation to appeal the decision to the Greek High Court in a bid to get the verdict quashed. If they are successful, he will not have to declare his conviction in any visa application.
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Man Utd star Harry Maguire applauds
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Man Utd star Harry Maguire will appeal his conviction (Image: PA)
However, if they are unsuccessful, things could get difficult, according to The Sun. The US Embassy and Consulates in the United Kingdom website states: "If you have ever been arrested, cautioned and/or convicted of an offence anywhere in the world, you are required to declare it when applying for a visa.
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"In cases where an arrest resulted in a conviction, you may be permanently ineligible to receive a visa and will require a waiver ineligibility to travel to the United States.
"The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act does not apply to United States visa law. Therefore, even if your arrest or conviction is considered spent, you are still require to declare it and furnish an ACRO Police Certificate when applying for a visa."
Harry Maguire
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Maguire has not competed for England since 2024(Image: Michael Regan/The FA via Getty Images)
Maguire would have been seen as an outsider for World Cup selection at the start of the season. However, in 2026, he has forced his way back into the United first eleven.
Under interim manager Michael Carrick, he has started every match for the Red Devils, who are yet to lose under the ex-Middlesbrough manager. Moreover, England boss Thomas Tuchel also said Maguire is back in his thoughts, as are Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo.
In February, the England boss said: "It is great that [Mainoo] is back on the pitch. He is such a huge talent.
England's Harry Maguire and Ireland's Chiedozie Ogbene
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Maguire last featured for England in 2024 in a 2-0 victory over Ireland in the Nations League(Image: ©INPHO/James Crombie)
"He has played already a tournament from start to finish for England, so he is back in the picture. So is Luke Shaw and so is Harry [Maguire].
"There are some players suddenly back in the picture, they play a back four now and play with a different style which is a bit easier to translate to our structure at the moment. It's good competition."
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Maguire has 64 international caps for England and has scored seven goals, more than any other Three Lions defender.