Tuchel recalls Trent Alexander-Arnold and Cole Palmer to England squad but warns they must ‘perform’
England head coach Thomas Tuchel recalled Trent Alexander-Arnold and Cole Palmer to his first squad since the World Cup for four Nations League matches during an extended international break, saying "the door is always open" but warning players they must "perform".
Tuchel had controversially left Alexander-Arnold and Palmer out of England's World Cup squad, and he again omitted Manchester City's Phil Foden from this selection. Alexander-Arnold, 27, won the most recent of his 34 England caps when he came on as a substitute in a 1-0 win against Andorra in June 2025 and has made five appearances, including three starts, for Real Madrid this season, registering one assist. Palmer, 24, last played for England in a 1-0 friendly defeat by Japan in March and has scored four goals and provided two assists in six games this season.
Tuchel defended his selection choices and framed the recall as part of renewed competition for places, saying: "They never did something wrong. We just chose different players. So now it is a new competition. Some players, some positions, have more injuries. Some have less injuries. Cole has his starts that he always had but he has his numbers back - he has his assists back, he has decisive goals back - so that is why he is in the squad." He added: "I think he has a point to prove, and the same goes for Trent. He was never off the list. He was never non-selectable for us, and it is his chance to show, come to camp and be the best version of himself."
On Alexander-Arnold's role, Tuchel noted the versatility the Real Madrid player has shown, saying: "He had a good start in two positions for Real Madrid and he comes as a right-back for us." He set clear expectations for the defender, adding: "[He needs to] perform, that's just what it is. It is a competition and I understand the question because he was not with us at the World Cup. We trusted other players. I still stick with this decision and it is now time to fight for his place. He always said he is up for a fight, he always said he is up to fight for his place - especially for England - so it is on him to prove and he is more than welcome in camp. We have a long camp and I am sure he will show up."
Tuchel reiterated the performance requirement for Palmer, saying: "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 added: "Cole needs to step up when he comes and he needs to show these kind of numbers to get his place, keep his shirt and justify the nomination."
The squad includes Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott and Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha, who were both in the Three Lions' pre-World Cup squad, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin, "whose three top-flight goals so far this season have helped Leeds United go third in the Premier League, is also included." Tuchel also selected Newcastle United left-back Lewis Hall, Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite, Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly and Brighton keeper Jason Steele. Dean Henderson, Jordan Henderson, Reece James, Djed Spence and John Stones, who were all in the World Cup squad, miss out, with Tuchel saying they were not selected because of injuries; other notable absentees include Morgan Gibbs-White, Adam Wharton and Harry Maguire.
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Jason Steele (Brighton), James Trafford (Leeds United)
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Real Madrid), Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Trevoh Chalobah (Como), Marc Guehi (Manchester City), Lewis Hall (Newcastle United), Ezri Konsa (Arsenal), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City), Jarrell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen)
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Manchester City), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Alex Scott (Bournemouth)
Forwards: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds United), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Anthony Gordon (Barcelona), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Rio Ngumoha (Liverpool), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Morgan Rogers (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
England will host World Cup winners Spain at Wembley on Saturday, 26 September, then travel to the Czech Republic on Tuesday, 29 September and to Croatia on Saturday, 3 October, before the Czechs visit on Tuesday, 6 October.
