Former Manchester United star Ben Foster has now thrown his full backing behind one possible explanation for Kobbie Mainoo’s lack of involvement for England at the World Cup.
Kobbie Mainoo took part in his first World Cup tournament with England after the 21-year-old talent had landed a place in Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions squad.
However, the England international was reduced to the role of merely being a spectator after he did not play a single minute at the FIFA competition this summer.
Mainoo was on the bench for seven of the eight matches that the Three Lions played in North America ahead of picking up a World Cup bronze medal with England.
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Thomas Tuchel, Manager of England, walks off the pitch with Kobbie Mainoo #16 after the 1-2 loss during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi Final match between England and Argentina at Atlanta Stadium on July 15, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
What is your verdict on Kobbie Mainoo pulling out of England’s third place playoff fixture with an ‘injury’…
Michael Carrick hugging Kobbie Mainoo
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Ben Foster raises eyebrows at Thomas Tuchel’s reason for Kobbie Mainoo’s absence from England’s final World Cup match
England failed to beat Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals and the Three Lions faced 2018 champions France in a third-place play-off match ahead of the final.
The Three Lions sealed a stunning 6-4 win over France earlier this month, but Kobbie Mainoo’s absence from the matchday squad sparked further discourse.
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Thomas Tuchel revealed after the World Cup match that Mainoo was “injured” and had experienced a “sharp pain in the back” during an England training session.
Speaking on his podcast, Ben Foster is now convinced that there is something ‘deeper’ to Mainoo not playing against France, despite Tuchel’s claims on the matter.
When discussing Tuchel and Mainoo, he said on Fozcast: “I agree with you. I disagree completely.
“I think there’s definitely something [that has] gone on and I think he’s probably had to pre-agree this with not only Kobbie Mainoo, but also tell some of the senior figures at the [England] team.
“Listen. Listen, it’s not, ‘I’m not going to play Kobbie Mainoo. We’ve had a falling out and we’re going to have to toe a party line if he’s got a bad back or something.’ I think that’s probably just what they’ve had to do.”
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Let us hear your thoughts on Thomas Tuchel’s treatment of Kobbie Mainoo
England v Argentina: Semi Final - FIFA World Cup 2026
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Man Utd fans have every right to question what Thomas Tuchel was trying to achieve with Kobbie Mainoo for England
Tuchel’s approach to Mainoo could not have been more disappointing after the Manchester United star’s turnaround in form under Michael Carrick last season.
Michael Carrick had allowed Mainoo to thrive once again at Old Trafford after Ruben Amorim’s mishandling of the England international during his Man Utd reign.
Not only had the March international recall to the England team sparked hope for Mainoo’s international role, but also the World Cup fell short of allowing him to build on what he did at the Euros.
Mainoo had played a starring role for the Three Lions at Euro 2024 under Sir Gareth Southgate, even if England did fall short to Spain in the final in Germany.
United fans have every right to raise questions and theories in the same way that Foster has done after what they witnessed this summer in North America.
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