The World Cup 2026 has seen its fair share of controversies, and one of the most talked-about decisions involves England's coach Thomas Tuchel and young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo. Despite England's successful 2-0 victory over Panama, which secured their place at the top of the group, Mainoo has yet to see any playing time. Instead, Tuchel has chosen to prioritize 36-year-old Jordan Henderson, who only played for a little over ten minutes in the match.

This decision has ignited a storm of debate among fans, particularly those from Manchester United, who feel that Mainoo is being treated unfairly. Many supporters argue that it is disappointing to see Mainoo, one of the six English players yet to be utilized in the tournament, left on the bench while Henderson was brought in during the closing moments of the game. The backlash has manifested in a series of humorous memes on social media, highlighting the absurdity of the situation.

One meme humorously suggested that if Mainoo were the only healthy midfielder, Tuchel would still prefer to wear the jersey himself rather than field the 20-year-old. Another video clip featured a man walking on water, captioned with the idea that Mainoo should be allowed to play as soon as his feet touch the water. Fans have even drawn comparisons to a famous clip of Diego Maradona avoiding Lionel Messi during Argentina's training, joking that if Mainoo asked for the ball, Tuchel would send it elsewhere.

This is not the first time Mainoo has faced a lack of playing time. Previously, he experienced a similar situation at Manchester United under coach Ruben Amorim, where his brother famously wore a shirt reading "Free Kobbie Mainoo" at Old Trafford in support of him. Eventually, he regained his position under coach Michael Carrick, and many fans are hopeful that history might repeat itself with the England national team.

As England prepares to face the Democratic Republic of Congo in the Round of 16 on July 1, there is a possibility that Tuchel will rotate his squad. This match could present an opportunity for Mainoo to finally make his debut in the tournament, rather than continuing to be an "unwilling spectator" on the bench.