**Palmer and Alexander-Arnold Recalled to England Squad After World Cup Omission**
*Published on 18 September 2026*
In a significant move, Chelsea's Cole Palmer and Real Madrid's Trent Alexander-Arnold have been recalled to the England national football team by head coach Thomas Tuchel. Their inclusion comes after both players were controversially left out of the squad for the recent World Cup, where England achieved a commendable third-place finish, marking their best result since winning the tournament in 1966.
The decision to exclude Palmer and Alexander-Arnold from the World Cup roster sparked considerable debate among fans and analysts alike, particularly given their established talents and contributions to their respective clubs. Alongside them, other notable players such as Phil Foden, Harry Maguire, and Luke Shaw were also absent from the World Cup squad, and they too have not been named in the upcoming Nations League matches.
The upcoming international window will see England face off against some formidable opponents, including world champions Spain and Croatia, as well as two matches against the Czech Republic. This presents an opportunity for Tuchel to assess the squad's depth and potential ahead of future tournaments.
In addition to Palmer and Alexander-Arnold, the squad features several emerging talents, including 18-year-old forward Rio Ngumoha from Liverpool and Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott. Their inclusion indicates a shift towards blending experienced players with younger prospects, as Tuchel seeks to build a competitive team for the Nations League.
The full England squad for the Nations League matches is as follows:
**Goalkeepers:**
- Jordan Pickford (Everton)
- Jason Steele (Brighton)
- James Trafford (Leeds)
**Defenders:**
- Trent Alexander-Arnold (Real Madrid)
- Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton)
- Trevoh Chalobah (Como)
- Marc Guehi (Manchester City)
- Lewis Hall (Newcastle)
- Ezri Konsa (Arsenal)
- Tino Livramento (Newcastle)
- Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City)
- Jarell 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:**
- Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
- Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds)
- Eberechi Eze (Arsenal)
- Anthony Gordon (Barcelona)
- Rio Ngumoha (Liverpool)
- Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)
- Morgan Rogers (Chelsea)
- Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
The recall of Palmer and Alexander-Arnold is seen as a vital step in addressing the criticisms aimed at Tuchel's management during the World Cup, particularly following the semifinal defeat to Argentina, where England led 1-0 until the 85th minute before succumbing to a 2-1 loss. This defeat raised questions about the tactical decisions made during the match and the overall squad selection.
As England prepares for these upcoming fixtures, the focus will be on how Tuchel integrates the recalled players into the squad and whether they can contribute to a successful campaign in the Nations League. The blend of youth and experience may provide England with a competitive edge as they aim to build on their recent World Cup success and further establish themselves on the international stage.