Trent Alexander Arnold and Cole Palmer have been recalled to the England squad by manager Thomas Tuchel after both players were left out of the country’s World Cup squad.
Alexander Arnold, who now plays for Real Madrid, returns to the national team for the first time since June 2025. Chelsea forward Palmer has also been brought back after missing the tournament, where England reached the semi finals before losing to Argentina.
Tuchel has named a 27 man squad for England’s three week, four match Nations League camp, with several other players also making their return.
Liverpool teenager Rio Ngumoha, Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott and Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite are among the new selections. Ngumoha impressed during his England debut against New Zealand in June, while Scott was previously part of the team’s pre tournament training group in Florida.
Branthwaite, who has made only one senior appearance for England since his debut in 2024, has received his first call up under Tuchel.
Lewis Hall, Myles Lewis Skelly and Dominic Calvert Lewin have also been recalled.
There is no place, however, for Phil Foden, Morgan Gibbs White or Adam Wharton. World Cup squad members Ollie Watkins, Ivan Toney and Noni Madueke have also been left out of the latest selection.
Tuchel said Alexander Arnold has earned another opportunity after making a positive start to the season with Real Madrid. The England manager believes the defender can now compete for his preferred position on the right side of the team.
“He had a good start to the season,” Tuchel said. “He started some matches for Real Madrid. They have good results and it’s a chance for him to claim what he feels is his, his place on the right side.”
England face Spain in Nations League opener
England will begin their Nations League campaign against world champions Spain at Wembley on September 26.
The match will be England’s first since their World Cup campaign, with the team returning to action just nine weeks after travelling back from the United States.
Three days after facing Spain, England will travel to Prague to take on the Czech Republic. They will then visit Croatia on October 3 before completing the international window with another meeting against the Czech Republic at Wembley on October 6.
England squad
Jordan Pickford, Jason Steele and James Trafford will provide the goalkeeping options.
The defenders selected are Trent Alexander Arnold, Jarrad Branthwaite, Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Guehi, Lewis Hall, Ezri Konsa, Tino Livramento, Nico O’Reilly and Jarell Quansah.
Midfield options include Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Myles Lewis Skelly, Kobbie Mainoo, Cole Palmer, Declan Rice and Alex Scott.
England’s attacking options are Harry Kane, Dominic Calvert Lewin, Eberechi Eze, Anthony Gordon, Rio Ngumoha, Marcus Rashford, Morgan Rogers and Bukayo Saka.
