Trent Alexander-Arnold and Cole Palmer recalled to England squad for Nations League games by Thomas Tuchel
England boss Thomas Tuchel has made changes to his squad following the World Cup; Real Madrid's Trent Alexander-Arnold returns to the fold along with Chelsea's Cole Palmer; Reece James and Phil Foden are among the players to miss out
Friday 18 September 2026 10:52, UK
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Cole Palmer have been recalled to the England squad by Thomas Tuchel for the upcoming Nations League games.
Real Madrid right-back Alexander-Arnold returns to the fold for the first time since June 2025 along with Chelsea's Palmer, who was another high-profile World Cup omission.
Tuchel has made eight changes from the World Cup in his 27-man group for the three-week camp, during which England, third-place finishers in the summer, will play four Nations League fixtures against Spain, Croatia and Czech Republic.
Liverpool's 18-year-old winger Rio Nguhoma, who impressed in England's World Cup warm-up fixtures, has also been called up along with uncapped Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott.
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Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite receives his first call-up since Tuchel's appointment while there are also recalls for Lewis Hall, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo is included despite being an unused member of the World Cup squad.
Phil Foden is once again overlooked by Tuchel along with Morgan Gibbs-White and Adam Wharton, while World Cup squad members Reece James, Ollie Watkins, Ivan Toney and Noni Madueke drop out.
John Stones, Djed Spence, Dan Burn, Jordan Henderson and Dean Henderson are absent with injuries.
The England squad in full
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Jason Steele (Brighton & Hove Albion), James Trafford (Leeds United)
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Real Madrid), Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Trevoh Chalobah (Como), Marc Guéhi (Manchester City), Lewis Hall (Newcastle United), Ezri Konsa (Arsenal), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City), Jarrell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen)
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Manchester City), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Alex Scott (AFC Bournemouth)
Forwards: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds United), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Anthony Gordon (Barcelona), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Rio Ngumoha (Liverpool), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Morgan Rogers (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
'Trent call-up a massive shift from Tuchel'
Analysis by Sky Sports' Peter Smith:
It shouldn't be a shock to see an Englishman playing for Real Madrid selected in the England squad but Alexander-Arnold's selection is exactly that.
This marks a massive shift from Tuchel, who previously said Alexander-Arnold was not the profile of right-back he wanted in his side and repeatedly declined to select the former Liverpool star - even when Tino Livramento suffered a pre-World Cup injury and Tuchel had the opportunity to call up a replacement.
Questions over why Tuchel overlooked the technically gifted 27-year-old resurfaced when the England boss questioned the natural ability of Three Lions players to retain possession and control games under pressure.
Alexander-Arnold hadn't been in an England squad since the summer of 2025 so what's changed?
His performances for Real Madrid this season didn't move the needle alone.
He has one assist from five appearances and his deployment in midfield for the Champions League win over Inter Milan was a reminder of the continuing conundrum managers are having in getting the most out of Alexander-Arnold's potential.
Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho used Alexander-Arnold in central midfield due to injuries and applauded his application - but also noted how he lost possession and the physical challenges of the role.
Last season, Alexander-Arnold was battling Dani Carvajal for the right-back spot at Real Madrid. This season, it's summer signing Denzel Dumfries competing with him for the place.
The brilliant on-the-ball ability remains, but defensive concerns persist. How Tuchel uses Alexander-Arnold - and what this change of stance means in the longer term - will be an intriguing narrative throughout the international break.
England's Nations League fixtures
Saturday September 26: Spain (H), kick-off 7.45pm
Tuesday September 29: Czech Republic (A), kick-off 7.45pm
Saturday October 3: Croatia (A), kick-off 5pm
Tuesday October 6: Czech Republic (H), kick-off 7.45pm
