Trent Alexander-Arnold has been omitted from England’s squad by Thomas Tuchel ahead of the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. The Real Madrid right-back’s absence was the most notable decision by the head coach, who has handed first call-ups to Elliot Anderson and Djed Spence.
Kyle Walker, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish were also excluded from the squad for home and away matches against Andorra and Serbia. Returning to the team are Marcus Rashford and Adam Wharton, alongside Marc Guéhi, Tino Livramento, Jarrod Bowen and John Stones.
In May, Tuchel warned Alexander-Arnold that he must demonstrate a single-minded focus on the defensive side of his game, noting that one mistake at the World Cup next year could end England’s tournament. Tuchel described Alexander-Arnold as a right-back, albeit a “unique” one, rather than a midfielder, despite naming him in previous squads for matches against Andorra and Senegal.
Alexander-Arnold appeared as a 64th-minute substitute against Andorra in Barcelona but was unused against Senegal. Since joining Madrid from Liverpool, he has featured in the Club World Cup and La Liga.
Anderson’s inclusion reflects his impressive performances with England’s under-21s and his strong form at Nottingham Forest. The midfielder played a key role as Lee Carsley’s under-21s secured the European Championship in June. Tuchel observed Anderson during Forest’s recent fixture at Crystal Palace. Anderson joined Forest in July 2024 in a transfer driven by Newcastle’s commitment to profitability and sustainability rules. The 22-year-old has represented both Scotland and England at youth level and was called up to Scotland’s senior squad in August 2023 but withdrew due to injury.
Spence’s versatility makes him an attractive option for Tuchel. The 25-year-old, who can operate as both a left and right-back, has enjoyed a resurgence at Tottenham after loans at Leeds and Genoa in 2023-24. The former Middlesbrough defender signed a new Spurs contract this month and started both league matches at left-back.
Rashford, previously called up in March, missed June’s fixtures through injury. Grealish impressed for Everton in their recent game against Brighton, setting up both goals, but has not convinced Tuchel he deserves a squad place. His last England appearance came under Carsley against Finland in October 2024.
Tuchel has not included Curtis Jones, Trevoh Chalobah, Ivan Toney or Conor Gallagher. Levi Colwill, Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Ben White remain sidelined through injury.
Foden returned from injury for Manchester City as a 75th-minute substitute last weekend following an ankle problem sustained in pre-season. Walker, a summer signing for Burnley, struggled against Senegal on his 96th England appearance and now faces uncertainty over reaching 100 caps. The current squad contains no Liverpool or Manchester United players apart from Rashford, who is on loan at Barcelona.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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