Archive · 18 Sep 2026
Alexander-Arnold and Palmer Return to England Squad for Nations League
England has chosen its players for several Nations League football matches.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Cole Palmer are back after missing England’s World Cup squad.
Rio Ngumoha, Alex Scott and Jarrad Branthwaite were also included.
Some familiar players, including Phil Foden, were not selected this time.
Tuchel said Alexander-Arnold played well for Real Madrid at the start of the season.
Palmer was also recalled after beginning the season with strong attacking numbers, according to one report.
England will play Spain at Wembley on September 26.
They will then face the Czech Republic and Croatia.
Tuchel said being selected again does not guarantee that either player will keep a place in the team.
Thomas Tuchel recalled Trent Alexander-Arnold and Cole Palmer to England’s Nations League squad.
Rio Ngumoha, Alex Scott and Jarrad Branthwaite were also selected in the group.
Phil Foden, Morgan Gibbs-White and Adam Wharton were overlooked, while Ollie Watkins, Ivan Toney and Noni Madueke dropped out.
England begin against Spain at Wembley on September 26, followed by matches against the Czech Republic and Croatia.
Tuchel said Alexander-Arnold’s selection is an opportunity to compete for the right-back position, not a guaranteed return.
- Who
- England manager Thomas Tuchel selected Trent Alexander-Arnold, Cole Palmer and a 27-man group, although the published list contains 28 names.
- What
- England announced its squad for a three-week, four-match Nations League camp.
- When
- The camp begins with England’s match against Spain on September 26, followed by games on September 29, October 3 and October 6.
- Where
- England will play at Wembley, in Prague and in Croatia.
- Why
- Tuchel recalled Alexander-Arnold and Palmer after improved form and fitness, while selecting other players based on competition and squad choices.
Tuchel’s cautious interpretation
Case for established returns
Meaning of the recalls
Tuchel’s cautious interpretation
Tuchel described Alexander-Arnold’s selection as an opportunity to compete for the right-back position and indicated that selection is not guaranteed.
Case for established returns
The recalls are significant because both players were notable absences from England’s World Cup squad and are now back in contention.
Reasons for previous omissions
Tuchel’s cautious interpretation
The reports say Alexander-Arnold had been out of the England picture since June 2025, while Palmer’s earlier omission was linked to fitness and form concerns.
Case for established returns
Palmer’s reported four goals and two assists in his first six games and Alexander-Arnold’s strong start at Real Madrid provide a case for their return.
- Manager
- Thomas Tuchel
- Headline recalls
- Trent Alexander-Arnold and Cole Palmer
- Other inclusions
- Rio Ngumoha, Alex Scott, Jarrad Branthwaite, Lewis Hall, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Dominic Calvert-Lewin
- Opening fixture
- Spain at Wembley on September 26
- Remaining fixtures
- The Czech Republic in Prague on September 29, Croatia on October 3, and the Czech Republic at Wembley on October 6
- Not selected or dropped
- Phil Foden, Morgan Gibbs-White, Adam Wharton, Ollie Watkins, Ivan Toney and Noni Madueke
- Squad-size discrepancy
- The report describes a 27-man group, but the published squad list contains 28 players
