Rio Ngumoha omitted from England matchday squad for Nations League opener with Spain

Rio Ngumoha, the 18-year-old Liverpool forward, has been left out of England's matchday squad for Saturday's Nations League opener against Spain at Wembley (19:45 BST). He had received his first senior England call-up earlier this month.

Thomas Tuchel named Ngumoha in a full England squad for the first time earlier this month. The Liverpool teenager travelled as one of five supplementary players to England's pre-World Cup training camp in Florida in the summer. He made his international debut as an unexpected substitute in the 1-0 friendly win against New Zealand, appearing in the second half and becoming the fifth youngest player to represent the Three Lions.

Ngumoha became the youngest player in Liverpool history to start a first-team match when he made his debut as a 16-year-old in the FA Cup against Accrington Stanley during the 2024-25 season. He then scored a late winner on his Premier League debut in Liverpool's 3-2 victory at Newcastle last season.

This season he has made three league appearances for Andoni Iraola's Liverpool, with only one of those appearances coming from the starting XI.

Ngumoha will not be available for England when they host Spain in their Nations League opener at Wembley on Saturday (19:45 BST). The match is against the reigning world and European champions.