Tuchel recalls Alexander-Arnold, Palmer as England name 27-nan Nations League squad

England manager Thomas Tuchel has recalled Trent Alexander-Arnold and Cole Palmer to the national team after both players missed the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as he named a 27-man squad for the opening four matches of the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League.

Alexander-Arnold, who now plays for Real Madrid, returns to the England setup for the first time since June 2025. Palmer, meanwhile, has been included after being left out of England’s World Cup squad.

Tuchel has made eight changes to the group that represented England at the World Cup. Among the other players returning are Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Lewis Hall, Rio Ngumoha, Jarrad Branthwaite, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott.

The squad also includes Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham, Arsenal’s Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane, Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo and Barcelona forward Anthony Gordon.

However, Manchester City’s Phil Foden, Morgan Gibbs-White and Adam Wharton have been left out. Several World Cup players, including Ollie Watkins, Ivan Toney and Noni Madueke, are also absent from the latest squad, while some players are unavailable through injury.

Tuchel’s squad will begin preparations at St George’s Park ahead of a busy three-week international window featuring four Nations League matches between September 21 and October 6.

England will open their campaign against newly crowned world champions Spain at Wembley on Saturday, September 26. They will then travel to Prague to face Czechia on September 29 before playing Croatia in Rijeka on October 3. The window concludes with a home fixture against Czechia at Wembley on October 6.

The 2026-27 Nations League group also includes a return fixture against Croatia in November, followed by an away game against Spain. England, Spain, Croatia and Czechia are in League A, Group 3.

Tuchel said Alexander-Arnold’s return followed a positive start to the season with Real Madrid, while the England manager has indicated that players must continue to earn their places in the national team.

England’s 27-man squad

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Jason Steele, James Trafford.

Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jarrad Branthwaite, Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Guéhi, Lewis Hall, Ezri Konsa, Tino Livramento, Nico O’Reilly, Jarell Quansah.

Midfielders: Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Kobbie Mainoo, Cole Palmer, Declan Rice, Alex Scott.

Forwards: Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Eberechi Eze, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane, Rio Ngumoha, Marcus Rashford, Morgan Rogers, Bukayo Saka.