Trent Alexander-Arnold and Cole Palmer recalled to England squad for Nations League games by Thomas Tuchel

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Cole Palmer have been recalled to the England squad by Thomas Tuchel for the upcoming Nations League games.

Real Madrid right-back Alexander-Arnold returns to the fold for the first time since June 2025 along with Chelsea's Palmer, who was another high-profile World Cup omission.

Tuchel has made eight changes from the World Cup in his 27-man group for the three-week camp, during which England, third-place finishers in the summer, will play four Nations League fixtures against Spain, Croatia and Czech Republic.

Liverpool's 18-year-old winger Rio Nguhoma, who impressed in England's World Cup warm-up fixtures, has also been called up along with uncapped Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott.

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Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite receives his first call-up since Tuchel's appointment, while there are also recalls for Lewis Hall, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Phil Foden is once again overlooked by Tuchel along with Morgan Gibbs-White and Adam Wharton, while World Cup squad members Ollie Watkins, Ivan Toney and Noni Madueke drop out.

Reece James, John Stones, Djed Spence, Dan Burn, Jordan Henderson and Dean Henderson are absent with injuries.

Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo is included despite being an unused member of the World Cup squad.

The England squad in full

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Jason Steele (Brighton & Hove Albion), James Trafford (Leeds United)

Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Real Madrid), Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Trevoh Chalobah (Como), Marc Guéhi (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 (AFC 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)

Tuchel: Palmer and Trent must fight for places

Asked about Alexander-Arnold and Palmer's recalls, Tuchel said: "They had a good start to the season. They never did something wrong, we just chose different players. Now is a new competition.

"Cole has his numbers back. Assists, decisive goals. I think he has a point to prove.

"The same goes for Trent. He was never non-selectable. Now is his chance to show, to come to camp and be the best version of himself. He comes as a right-back for us.

"He needs to perform; it's a competition. He was not with us at the World Cup; we trusted other players, and I stick with that decision.

"It's now time to fight for his place. He always said he's up for the fight. It's now up to him to prove. We have a long camp and I'm sure he'll show up."

Is this a better squad than the World Cup?

Analysis by Sky Sports News' Kaveh Solhekol:

Tuchel has learnt from his mistakes in the summer with his World Cup squad because he has made a lot of changes with this squad.

As far as I'm concerned, Tuchel is still on the naughty step. I still haven't forgiven him for what happened against Argentina. He still has it all to prove.

But by looking at this squad, I think he is admitting he made some mistakes.

This is a better and more balanced squad than he took to the World Cup.

'Trent call-up a massive shift from Tuchel'

Analysis by Sky Sports' Peter Smith:

It shouldn't be a shock to see an Englishman playing for Real Madrid selected in the England squad but Alexander-Arnold's selection is exactly that.

This marks a massive shift from Tuchel, who previously said Alexander-Arnold was not the profile of right-back he wanted in his side and repeatedly declined to select the former Liverpool star - even when Tino Livramento suffered a pre-World Cup injury and Tuchel had the opportunity to call up a replacement.

Questions over why Tuchel overlooked the technically gifted 27-year-old resurfaced when the England boss questioned the natural ability of Three Lions players to retain possession and control games under pressure.

Alexander-Arnold hadn't been in an England squad since the summer of 2025 so what's changed?

His performances for Real Madrid this season didn't move the needle alone.

He has one assist from five appearances and his deployment in midfield for the Champions League win over Inter Milan was a reminder of the continuing conundrum managers are having in getting the most out of Alexander-Arnold's potential.

Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho used Alexander-Arnold in central midfield due to injuries and applauded his application - but also noted how he lost possession and the physical challenges of the role.

Last season, Alexander-Arnold was battling Dani Carvajal for the right-back spot at Real Madrid. This season, it's summer signing Denzel Dumfries competing with him for the place.

The brilliant on-the-ball ability remains, but defensive concerns persist. How Tuchel uses Alexander-Arnold - and what this change of stance means in the longer term - will be an intriguing narrative throughout the international break.

England's Nations League fixtures

Saturday September 26: Spain (H), kick-off 7.45pm

Tuesday September 29: Czech Republic (A), kick-off 7.45pm

Saturday October 3: Croatia (A), kick-off 5pm

Tuesday October 6: Czech Republic (H), kick-off 7.45pm

Your views: 'This is the squad he should have picked for the World Cup'

JoeR: I am slightly confused. If Tuchel thought Palmer and Trent Alexander-Arnold weren't good enough for the World Cup squad, has much really changed in the first few games of the season? This is basically Tuchel admitting he got the World Cup selection wrong.

Fenners: Quite like the look of that squad. It will be interesting to see if Scott and Tino Livramento get many minutes. Still a little concerned about the back-line, though.

Micky045: The squad he's now picked is the one that should've gone to the World Cup. So many names left out this time shouldn't have been anywhere near that squad. Similarly, some of the names picked this time round should have.

(c) Sky Sports 2026: Trent Alexander-Arnold and Cole Palmer recalled to England squad for Nations League games by Thomas Tuchel