Thomas Tuchel has once again opened the door for two of England's most talked‑about talents, recalling both Trent Alexander‑Arnold and Cole Palmer to the national side for the upcoming Nations League fixtures. The Real Madrid right‑back makes his first return to the squad since June 2025, while the Chelsea forward, who was a surprising omission from the World Cup roster, also receives a fresh invitation.
Tuchel’s 27‑man selection for the three‑week training camp reflects a dramatic overhaul of the group that represented England at the summer tournament, with eight changes made to the original World Cup list. The revamped squad will face a demanding schedule, featuring four Nations League matches against Spain, Croatia and the Czech Republic, both home and away. Among the newcomers is Liverpool’s 18‑year‑old winger Rio Nguhoma, who impressed during England’s pre‑World Cup friendlies, and Bournemouth’s uncapped midfielder Alex Scott, who has earned his first call‑up. Everton centre‑back Jarrad Branthwaite also returns for the first time under Tuchel, while other familiar faces such as Lewis Hall, Dominic Calvert‑Lewin and Myles Lewis‑Skelly are reinstated after missing out on the World Cup.
Conversely, several high‑profile players have been 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 also rule out a number of established names, 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 having featured for England at the World Cup.
The full roster announced by Tuchel 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).
When questioned about the reinstatement of Alexander‑Arnold and Palmer, Tuchel explained that both players had enjoyed strong starts to the club season and had not done anything to warrant exclusion. "Cole has his numbers back – assists, decisive goals – he has a point to prove," Tuchel said. "The same goes for Trent.
He was never non‑selectable; now is his chance to come to camp and be the best version of himself. He comes as a right‑back for us and he needs to perform; it’s a competition." Tuchel acknowledged that the World Cup squad had been selected with different priorities, but he emphasized that the current group offers a more balanced blend of experience and youthful energy. His remarks suggest a willingness to correct earlier decisions and to give players a platform to demonstrate their worth during the international break. Analysts from Sky Sports weighed in on the changes.
Kaveh Solhekol noted that Tuchel appears to have learned from the missteps of the summer, pointing out the substantial turnover in personnel and describing the new squad as “better and more balanced.” Peter Smith highlighted the significance of Alexander‑Arnold’s inclusion, noting that the player had previously been deemed unsuitable for Tuchel’s tactical profile. Smith recalled that even when Tino Livramento suffered a pre‑World Cup injury, Tuchel opted not to call up the Liverpool star, preferring other options. Alexander‑Arnold’s journey since his last England appearance in 2025 has been mixed.
At Real Madrid, he has contributed an assist in five league games and was deployed in midfield during the Champions League victory over Inter Milan, a role that underscored both his technical strengths and the challenges he faces in more defensive positions. Real Madrid manager José Mourinho praised his work ethic but also highlighted moments where possession was lost and physical duels proved demanding.
This season, Alexander‑Arnold is competing with summer signing Denzel Dumfries for the right‑back slot, while his former teammate Dani Carvajal remains a rival for the same position. Cole Palmer’s recall reflects his resurgence at Chelsea, where he has once again become a prolific creator and goal scorer.
After being left out of the World Cup squad, Palmer responded with a series of decisive performances, regaining the confidence of the national team coach. His versatility across the front line adds depth to England’s attacking options, complementing the likes of Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford.
The upcoming Nations League fixtures will serve as a testing ground for Tuchel’s revised strategy. England will open the campaign at home against Spain on Saturday, 26 September, at 7:45 pm, followed by an away match against the Czech Republic on 29 September at the same time. The final two games will see England travel to Croatia on 3 October (5 pm) and host the Czech Republic again on 6 October (7:45 pm). These matches will not only determine England’s standing in the league but also provide a platform for the recalled players to stake their claim for future tournaments.
Fan reactions on social media have been mixed but largely supportive of the changes. Some users, such as "Lincpoacher," praised Alexander‑Arnold’s return, citing his exceptional long‑passing ability as a long‑awaited asset.
Others, like "Micky045," argued that the current squad resembles the one that should have been taken to the World Cup, suggesting that many omissions were misguided. Meanwhile, "Luke" expressed enthusiasm about Jarrad Branthwaite’s inclusion, noting his impact for Everton this season.
In summary, Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad signals a clear shift in direction from the World Cup selection. By bringing back Trent Alexander‑Arnold and Cole Palmer, along with a blend of seasoned internationals and promising newcomers, the manager aims to create a more dynamic and adaptable team.
The upcoming Nations League campaign will be the first real test of whether these adjustments translate into improved performances on the pitch, and it will give the recalled players a crucial opportunity to prove their worth on the international stage.