Former Manchester United midfielder Nicky Butt has urged England youngster Kobbie Mainoo to refuse to play in Saturday’s FIFA World Cup 2026 third-place playoff against France, criticizing manager Thomas Tuchel’s handling of the midfielder during the tournament.
Mainoo, who earned a place in England’s World Cup squad after impressing for Manchester United under Michael Carrick last season, has not featured in a single match throughout the Three Lions’ campaign. The 21-year-old has remained an unused substitute in all seven of England’s matches.
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With England set to face France in the battle for third place after missing out on the final, Tuchel is expected to rotate his squad and hand opportunities to players who have seen limited action. Mainoo is among those tipped to make his first appearance of the tournament.
However, Butt believes the midfielder should reject the opportunity, arguing that it would be unfair to expose himself to injury after being overlooked throughout the competition.
According to the former England international, Mainoo has been denied any meaningful role during the World Cup and should not be expected to risk his fitness in what he described as a largely insignificant third-place fixture.
Butt questioned the reasoning behind leaving the midfielder on the bench throughout the tournament before potentially introducing him for the final match. He suggested that, if he were in Mainoo’s position, he would decline to play, even joking that he would claim to be injured.
England will take on France in the World Cup third-place playoff on Saturday, with both nations aiming to finish the tournament on a positive note after falling short in the semi-finals. Meanwhile, Spain and Argentina are set to contest the World Cup final.
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