​In the latest episode of The Devils’ Advocate, Joe McGrath and Gaz Drinkwater dive into Kobbie Mainoo’s absence from the England squad’s match minutes at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The 21-year-old has yet to feature for the Three Lions during the tournament, despite remaining an active member of the squad. Although he hasn’t earned a competitive cap since September 2024, Mainoo did appear in each of England’s most recent four friendlies, highlighting a notable discrepancy between his club form and his World Cup role.
Gaz Drinkwater voices a candid frustration, describing the situation with a touch of irony: “It’s a joke, but we can’t really complain when England are getting into the position they’re in.” He reflects on times during the group stage when he would have preferred to see Mainoo on the pitch, suggesting that the decision-making process behind squad selection and in-game rotation has left some supporters puzzled and perhaps frustrated.
Drinkwater further contends that it’s “a joke” that Mainoo hasn’t been given any minutes at the World Cup level. He goes on to speculate that, at present, the only realistic scenario in which Mainoo might feature in World Cup football would be if England were to suffer a semi-final defeat and then participate in the contentious third-place play-off—a match he views as somewhat bleak and indicative of a disappointing end to England’s campaign. The implication is that, under current plans, Mainoo’s opportunities to contribute on this stage appear highly unlikely, which Drinkwater frames as a sad state of affairs for a player who has been part of the setup and who has shown potential value in recent fixtures.
McGrath and Drinkwater’s discussion touches on the broader context of England’s strategy, selection dynamics, and the balance between managing minutes and preserving squad harmony in a high-stakes tournament environment. The conversation also underscores the tension fans often feel when a talented young player is kept on the periphery of match action despite involvement in the squad and positive performances in non-World Cup fixtures.
For listeners seeking a deeper dive into these topics and a fuller sense of the arguments and nuances behind this debate, the episode promises more detailed analysis, reactions, and context around the decision-making processes that govern minutes and role assignments in a major international tournament. To hear the full discussion and capture the complete range of viewpoints, you can listen to the Devils’ Advocate on BBC Sounds, where the hosts unpack the implications of England’s World Cup strategy and what it might mean for Kobbie Mainoo’s immediate and long-term prospects with the national team.