England head coach Thomas Tuchel has recalled Trent Alexander-Arnold and Cole Palmer to the national team squad for the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League, after both players missed the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The pair are among the 27 players selected by Tuchel for England’s September and October international fixtures, with the Three Lions set to begin their Nations League campaign against world champions Spain at Wembley on September 26.
Key Highlights
- Trent Alexander-Arnold and Cole Palmer have returned to the England squad.
- Both players missed England’s squad for the 2026 World Cup.
- Tuchel said selection does not guarantee a starting place.
- Alexander-Arnold returns to the squad for the first time since June 2025.
- England will face Spain, Czechia and Croatia during the international window.
- Rio Ngumoha and Alex Scott are among the players selected for the squad.
- Phil Foden, Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson are among those left out.
Tuchel said the door remained open to players who could demonstrate their quality, while stressing that being selected for the squad does not guarantee a place in the starting XI.
Alexander-Arnold, 27, returns to the England squad after more than a year away from the national team. The Real Madrid right-back has made five appearances for his club this season and provided one assist.
Palmer, 24, has also been recalled after missing the World Cup squad. The Chelsea midfielder has made a strong start to the new campaign, with four goals and two assists in six appearances, according to reports on his recall.
“They had a good start to the season. They never did something wrong. We just chose different players,” Tuchel said.
The England manager said Palmer’s recent form and attacking contribution had played a role in his return to the squad.
On Alexander-Arnold, Tuchel said the defender had remained part of England’s plans and now had another opportunity to compete for his place.
“He was never off the list. He was never non-selectable for us,” Tuchel said.
Although Alexander-Arnold has also featured in midfield for Real Madrid, Tuchel has selected him as a right-back for England.
Tuchel also made it clear that both returning players would need to perform during the international camp.
“It is one thing to be nominated, like with Cole, and getting your ticket back in the squad but it’s another thing to perform for England,” he said.
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England’s Nations League Fixtures
England will host Spain at Wembley on September 26 before travelling to Prague to face Czechia on September 29.
The Three Lions will then play Croatia in Rijeka on October 3 before hosting Czechia at Wembley on October 6.
The 27-man squad also includes Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott, Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Lewis Hall, Jarrad Branthwaite and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Several players from England’s World Cup squad have been left out, including Phil Foden, Morgan Gibbs-White, Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson. Reece James and John Stones are also absent.
England finished third at the 2026 World Cup after losing to Argentina in the semi-final before defeating France in the bronze-medal match. The team will now begin a new Nations League campaign with Tuchel looking to adjust his approach ahead of the next international cycle.
Reflecting on his plans for the team, Tuchel said England could benefit from allowing greater attacking freedom while maintaining the strengths that helped the squad reach the latter stages of the World Cup.
“Maybe I have to compromise in my wish and urge for control, for a little bit more chaos, embrace the chaos, and maybe it brings out the best in us,” he said.
Tuchel said his priority remained adapting England’s approach to maximise the qualities of the players available to him.
