Jamie Carragher called Gianni Infantino a disgrace and turned his criticism toward Thomas Tuchel after liverpool.com reported that Trent Alexander-Arnold was left out of England's 26-man World Cup squad. Carragher said Tuchel had put harmony, energy and athleticism ahead of talent, with the squad choices now under sharper scrutiny before England's Group L opener in Dallas.
Infantino and FIFA tickets
Carragher was blunt about FIFA president Infantino, saying: “He's a disgrace, that fella, [Gianni] Infantino – I can’t stand him. I really have a big problem with him.” The attack came against the backdrop of criticism over FIFA working with unofficial resale platforms to sell tickets for low-demand World Cup games.
That wider issue sat alongside Carragher's reaction to Tuchel's squad. Alexander-Arnold was not the only notable omission. Harry Maguire, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Morgan Gibbs-White and Jarrod Bowen also failed to make the 26-man list.
Tuchel’s England choices
Carragher argued Tuchel had chosen a different profile for the tournament. “I think when you look at the squad, Thomas Tuchel put energy, athleticism, and harmony over talent,” he said. He also added: “We can't have anybody who brings the group down in any way or a negativity that they're not playing or they're throwing their arms about.”
He pointed to Dan Burn as a player Tuchel clearly values, saying: “I think most people would probably say Harry Maguire is a better player than Dan Burn, but I know he loves Dan Burn in and around the squad.” Carragher's read was that the England manager wanted pace and runners first, not the most technical names on paper.
Bellingham and England
That logic extended to Jude Bellingham. Carragher said Tuchel had left him out of a couple of squads and believed the midfielder would not start England's opening game against Croatia. He also said Tuchel knew that Foden, Palmer and Alexander-Arnold were probably three of England's most technical players.
England will begin Group L against Croatia in Dallas on Wednesday June 17, then play Ghana on Tuesday June 23 and Panama on Saturday June 27. Carragher's comments land six weeks before that opener, with the squad selection already framed by a debate over whether Tuchel has built for control, energy and set pieces rather than pure attacking talent.
