Trent Alexander-Arnold and Cole Palmer have been recalled to England’s squad for their upcoming Nations League games – just months after they were snubbed for World Cup selection by Thomas Tuchel.
The duo were eye-raising omissions in May from Tuchel’s 26-man party for this summer’s World Cup, where England finished third.
However, Tuchel has selected both for the Three Lions for four Nations League games during an extended international break after this weekend’s club fixtures. England host World Cup winners Spain at Wembley on September 26, then travel to Czechia (September 29) and Croatia (October 3) before the Czechs visit on October 6.
Alexander-Arnold, 27, won the most recent of his 34 England caps when he came on as a substitute in a 1-0 win against Andorra in June 2025.
Meanwhile, 24-year-old Palmer last played for his country in 1-0 friendly defeat in March.
‘They had a good start to the season,’ said Tuchel about the pair, who has again omitted Manchester City’s Phil Foden. ‘They never did something wrong. We just chose different players.
‘So now it is a new competition. Some players, some positions, have more injuries. Some have less injuries. Cole has his starts that he always had but he has his numbers back – he has his assists back, he has decisive goals back – so that is why he is in the squad.
‘I think he has a point to prove, and the same goes for Trent. He was never off the list. He was never non-selectable for us, and it is his chance to show, come to camp and be the best version of himself.’
Other England inclusions and omissions
Elsewhere, Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott and Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha make Tuchel’s squad as does Leeds United striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Newcastle United left back Lewis Hall, another surprise World Cup snub, also makes the cut this time as does Everton centre back Jarrad Branthwaite, Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly and Brighton keeper Jason Steele.
Injuries deny World Cup quintet Dean Henderson, Jordan Henderson, Reece James, Djed Spence and John Stones.
However, Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Manchester United’s Harry Maguire have all been not selected.
England squad for upcoming Nations League games
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Jason Steele (Brighton), James Trafford (Leeds United)
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Real Madrid), Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Trevoh Chalobah (Como), Marc Guehi (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 (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)
CLICK HERE to follow TIBS News across socials
