Thomas Tuchel has once again turned his attention to the England senior team, calling back two of the most talked‑about names omitted from the recent World Cup roster: Trent Alexander‑Arnold and Cole Palmer. The Liverpool right‑back, now plying his trade at Real Madrid, makes his first England appearance since June 2025, while the Chelsea forward, who missed the World Cup despite a strong season, also earns a recall. Tuchel’s revamped 27‑man squad, announced for a three‑week training camp, features eight changes from the World Cup line‑up and will contest four Nations League matches against Spain, Croatia and the Czech Republic. Among the newcomers is Liverpool’s 18‑year‑old winger Rio Nguhoma, whose performances in England’s pre‑World Cup friendlies impressed the coaching staff.
He joins uncapped Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott, who earned his first senior call‑up after a breakout season in the Championship. Everton centre‑back Jarrad Branthwaite also returns to the fold for the first time since Tuchel took charge, while other familiar faces such as Lewis Hall, Dominic Calvert‑Lewin and Myles Lewis‑Skelly are recalled. Notably, several high‑profile players were left out. Phil Foden, Morgan Gibbs‑White and Adam Wharton are again omitted, as are World Cup regulars Ollie Watkins, Ivan Toney and Noni Madueke.
Injuries rule out a host of veterans, including Reece James, John Stones, Djed Spence, Dan Burn, Jordan Henderson, Ben White and Dean Henderson. Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo makes the list despite not featuring in the World Cup squad.
The full roster is as follows: 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 Nguhoma (Liverpool), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Morgan Rogers (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal). Tuchel explained his reasoning for bringing back Alexander‑Arnold and Palmer in a press conference.
He praised their early‑season form, saying, “Both players have started the campaign strongly. They haven’t done anything wrong; we simply chose different options at the World Cup. Now we have a new competition and they deserve a chance to prove themselves.” He added, “Cole has rediscovered his goal‑scoring touch and his assist numbers are back.
He has something to prove.” Regarding Alexander‑Arnold, Tuchel noted, “Trent was never non‑selectable. This is his opportunity to show his best self as a right‑back. He must perform; it’s a competition.
We trusted other players at the World Cup, and that decision stands, but now it’s time for him to fight for his place.” Analysts at Sky Sports weighed in on the selections. Kaveh Solhekol observed that Tuchel appears to be learning from the mistakes of the summer, having overhauled the squad with many fresh faces. He suggested that the manager remains under scrutiny, especially after the controversial loss to Argentina, and that the new group is more balanced than the World Cup‑era roster. Peter Smith highlighted the significance of an English player at Real Madrid being included.
He recalled that Tuchel previously dismissed Alexander‑Arnold as not fitting his ideal right‑back profile, even when injuries opened a spot before the tournament. Smith pointed out that the Liverpool‑turned‑Madrid star has contributed an assist in five appearances and was deployed in midfield during a Champions League win over Inter Milan, underscoring the ongoing debate about how best to utilise his unique skill set.
Mourinho’s experimentation with Alexander‑Arnold in central midfield, while praising his work ethic, also revealed defensive frailties and physical challenges. The competition for the right‑back slot at Real Madrid is now fierce, with Denzel Dumfries joining the race alongside the seasoned Dani Carvajal.
Alexander‑Arnold’s exceptional crossing and long‑range passing remain assets, but defensive consistency continues to be a concern. How Tuchel integrates him—whether as a traditional full‑back, an inverted wing‑back, or a midfield playmaker—will be a key storyline during the international break.
The Nations League schedule is set as follows: Spain (home) on Saturday 26 September, kickoff 19:45; Czech Republic (away) on Tuesday 29 September, kickoff 19:45; Croatia (away) on Saturday 3 October, kickoff 17:00; and a return fixture against the Czech Republic (home) on Tuesday 6 October, kickoff 19:45. Fans on social media expressed mixed reactions.
One user questioned whether Tuchel’s decision indicates a mis‑judgement of the World Cup squad, while another celebrated the return of Alexander‑Arnold for his “outstanding long passing” that can unlock tight defenses. Others speculated about the playing time for newcomers like Alex Scott and Tino Livramento and voiced concerns about the overall solidity of the back line. Overall, Tuchel’s revised England squad reflects a blend of experienced internationals, promising youngsters, and players who have demonstrated form at top clubs across Europe. The upcoming Nations League matches will provide a platform for the recalled stars to justify their inclusion and for the manager to fine‑tune his selections ahead of future tournaments.