Thomas Tuchel has recalled Cole Palmer to the England squad this morning after the Chelsea forward was left out of the World Cup, with the German manager also making the huge call to restore Trent Alexander-Arnold ahead of three upcoming Nations League fixtures.
But Morgan Gibbs-White and Phil Foden have been snubbed, while Harry Maguire remains sidelined after his outspoken response to being left out of the World Cup squad, and eight players have been dropped altogether including Al-Ahli’s Ivan Toney.
England made a rollercoaster run to the semi-finals of the World Cup in North America this summer, where they fell to a hugely disappointing defeat by arch rivals Argentina in Atlanta, giving up a one-goal lead with a defensive retreat for which Tuchel and his players were heavily criticised.
Now the England manager and his team have the chance to reset with bumper three-week international break as the 2026/27 Nations League campaign begins. The Three Lions are drawn in League 1, Group C with world champions Spain, Croatia and Czechia, and the group winner will qualify for the Nations League finals in June.
England host Spain at Wembley on 26 September, before away trips to Czechia on 29 September and Croatia on 3 October. The international break will wrap up on 6 October when Czechia visit Wembley for the return fixture.
Follow the latest updates and reaction, including Tuchel’s views, ahead of the international break, below:
England squad announcement
- Thomas Tuchel names England squad for upcoming Nations League games
- England in Group 1C with world champions Spain, Croatia and Czech Republic
- Cole Palmer recalled but Morgan Gibbs-White and Phil Foden snubbed
- Trent Alexander-Arnold makes shock return after World Cup omission
CONFIRMED: England squad in full as Palmer and Alexander-Arnold recalled
10:00 , Will Castle
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, James Trafford, Jason Steele
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Tino Livramento, Jarrad Branthwaite, Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Jarell Quansah, Lewis Hall, Nico O’Reilly
Midfielders: Elliott Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Kobbie Mainoo, Cole Palmer, Declan Rice, Alex Scott
Forwards: Harry Kane, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Eberechi Eze, Anthony Gordon, Rio Ngumoha, Marcus Rashford, Morgan Rogers, Bukayo Saka
Here it is! 🤩
— England (@England) September 18, 2026
Thomas Tuchel's first #ThreeLions squad of the 2026-27 season 🦁 🏴
Redemption for Mainoo?
12:18 , Will Castle
Kobbie Mainoo was the only player included in the World Cup squad not to play a minute of football in the summer, with injury ruling him out of his best opportunity in the third-place play-off against France.
That hasn’t cost him his place in Thomas Tuchel’s roster, though - is this an opportunity for redemption?
"I expect him to be on the pitch and it's my duty to get him on the pitch,” Tuchel confirmed. “That was totally on me. He didn't put a foot wrong during the World Cup.
"He was class in behaviour on the training pitch. There was big competition; we played Reece in central midfield also. Elliot Anderson is amazing for us, Declan Rice is a very unique player
"We trusted them more than we trusted Kobbie. It was difficult for him. It was on me.
"He got injured before the France game so we couldn't even give him minutes there, which hurt me. Maybe he was more hurt than me but it was my responsibility and it's my responsibility to reward him for that."
Alexander-Arnold was 'never unselectable'
12:06 , Will Castle
After Trent Alexander-Arnold was snubbed from World Cup selection, even after Tino Livramento got injured, we thought the Real Madrid man was well out of Thomas Tuchel’s good books.
But no! Alexander-Arnold is back in the fold, and despite all the talk of Tuchel not trusting his defensive abilities, he comes explicitly as a defender.
“He was never off the list, he was never non-selectable for us and it’s his chance to come to camp, to be the best version of himself,” Tuchel said.
Later asked if he may be operated in midfield, he replied: “He comes as a right-back.”
Players on Tuchel's radar
11:54 , Will Castle
Thomas Tuchel didn’t just talk about the newcomers in his press conference. As he said, “the door is open” for others.
He mentioned how Fulham’s Josh King was “very close” to joining Alex Scott and Rio Ngumoha from the World Cup warm-up group in getting a first senior call-up, while also indicating that Morgan Gibbs-White and Levi Colwill was on his radar.
Chelsea hit by Reece James blow as Thomas Tuchel confirms injury
11:42 , Lawrence Ostlere
Reece James has suffered an injury which has ruled the Chelsea captain out of England’s autumn international camp.
James missed training this week and Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso refused to shed any light on his fitness ahead of the Blues’ trip to Brentford on Friday evening, saying on Thursday: “It was just a decision and we see his development, and tomorrow we will decide.”
But James is unlikely to take any part in the match at the Gtech Stadium, having been left out of Tuchel’s first squad since the World Cup.
Chelsea hit by Reece James blow as Thomas Tuchel confirms injury
That's all from Tuchel!
11:30 , Will Castle
Tuchel has departed.
Tuchel on picking Branthwaite over Colwill
11:29 , Will Castle
"I think he's very close. I have a very clear picture of what Levi can give to this team. I wanted to take the opportunity to give Jarrad a chance. He's had a very good start with Everton. It was a 51 percent decision for Jarrad because I don't have a clear picture of what he's all about."
More World Cup reflections
11:29 , Will Castle
“It’s not the first time you get a scar, it’s not the first time you get sleepless nights. It’s part of the beauty of sports, you can’t always win.
“The whole campaign felt different, it’s a new level of pressure. It’s comparable with the Champions League final, but it’s like the round of 32. Knockout football and one match can be very demanding and brutal. The experience of unfortunately losing finals helps, because it’s what makes me me and that this is possible, but knowing that you have to wait four years is like, yeah.
“The beauty and the pain of having the bronze medal match was not having the abrupt end.”
Tuchel on recalls and how they aren't the 'winners' from the World Cup
11:25 , Will Castle
"We want to bring in their quality. We want to see them again and give them a chance to perform.
"For Alex, a fantastic football player, character, so humble. I think he's one of the very best midfielders in the Premier League so he deserves to be with us.
"The quality of Trent is undisputable, the quality of Palmer. We don't need to talk about it but they need to show it.
"You can't be the winners of the World Cup if you weren't selected. The first step is to be dominated, then fight and perform on the highest level for the shirt."
Tuchel confirms Alexander-Arnold position
11:24 , Will Castle
Asked if Alexander-Arnold may also be operated as a midfielder, Tuchel said: “He comes as a right-back.”
Tuchel backs FA's opposition of Infantino after World Cup sell-off scheme
11:22 , Will Castle
“I just told you I am backed by my bosses so the minimum I can do is back my bosses. They have my full support and I back their opinion.
“My little bit of knowledge is about football and not sport politics.”
Tuchel on World Cup review with FA: 'I got told off for the substitutions... just joking!'
11:20 , Will Castle
“I got told off for the substitutions I made. Just joking!
"It's sometimes painful, sometimes emotional, sometimes beautiful because people speak up about situations that meant a lot to them.
"I felt the full support from all my bosses through the whole tournament. Before the Mexico game they told me we know anything can happen in a football match but don't worry we can see what's going on. I felt this kind of freedom to take my choices and coach freely.
"There was never a doubt in my mind we'd continue together and there was clearly never a doubt in their mind.
"Reflection is sometimes necessary to get better and experience is a crucial part."
Tuchel on Mainoo and Gibbs-White
11:19 , Will Castle
Tuchel says we can expect to see Kobbie Mainoo in action after not featuring at the World Cup.
On the decision not to pick Morgan Gibbs-White, he said: "We can see the form Morgan is in and he ended the season very strongly and was the key player for Forest to not be relegated. We can see him stepping up now.
"It's one thing to be nominated and getting back in the squad and to perform. Cole needs to show these kinds of numbers and performances to get his shirt and justify the nomination."
Tuchel on how he reflects on failure vs Argentina
11:18 , Will Castle
"It feels unfulfilled [our ambition] but that's how it is.
"We need to move forward. The decisions in the Argentina game, sometimes as a coach you can only win if you win. Who knows what would have happened. If we hadn't made any subs what would have happened? Who knows.
"I will not allow 30 minutes of this World Cup to override how we view our achievement."
Tuchel has no regrets about squad selection
11:16 , Will Castle
“No. I was very happy with the squad selection. We put a lot of effort and emphasis into the selection. I had a lot of sleepless nights [about the Argentina loss] but not a single sleepless night about the selection because I had seven weeks with these players and they were nothing short of fantastic. Their spirit and mentality took us to the place we got.”
Tuchel on whether a second star is still his ultimate goal
11:14 , Will Castle
"You only get a star for a world championship and my contract is for the Euros. The target is to try to win the Nations League. I feel it's not a new beginning - we build on a solid foundation - and the target is to win the home Euros."
King 'very close' to joining Scott and Ngumoha as call-ups
11:13 , Will Castle
Tuchel says Fulham’s Josh King, who was part of the World Cup warm-up group alongside Rio Ngumoha and Alex Scott, was “very close” to also earning a first senior call-up.
Tuchel confirms White injury
11:11 , Will Castle
Ben White pulled out of the planned squad through injury, confirmed Tuchel.
"Ben [White] pulled out with an injury. He had a fantastic start with Arsenal to the season.
"He's back to his very best as a pair with Bukayo Saka on the right-hand side, which could be very valuable for us.
"But he was unfortunately not available for the World Cup, and it is unfortunately a bit of the story with Ben that in the decisive moments when we do the call-ups, he's not available."
Tuchel ready to 'prove a point' against World Cup winners
11:10 , Will Castle
Tuchel says he wants to “prove a point” at Wembley as they return to action against world champions Spain.
"It's an amazing start to the Nations League campaign. We've had some fantastic results. An immaculate qualifying campaign. Ten matches in the US, eight victories, one draw and one loss which hurt a lot and still does.
"This cycle of 10 matches is something we want to repeat. The target is to go all the way in the Nations League - if we go all the way we have another 10 matches.
"It feels we started the next cycle against France. The way we played it and won it against maybe the strongest squad in the world, a very impressive win, I think that directs the narrative for what's coming.
"Spain, the reigning world champions - we feel the gap is closing. The motivation cannot be higher."
'Door always open'
11:08 , Will Castle
"The door is always open through performance and then behaviour, commitment to the team spirit because we built something very special.
"I thought we'd have more of a continuation of the World Cup squad but a lot of that squad can't be with us due to injuries. So new players will step up. These players were crucial for us building the brotherhood and mentality that took us a long way on the tournament. We will not compromise on that.
"Other players will step up and get a lot of minutes. My mindset is not to change too much in the formations within the matches if possible. We will not overload them.
"The door is always open to impress and take the place."
More on Alexander-Arnold
11:07 , Will Castle
On what Alexander-Arnold needs to do in the next few weeks: “Perform. I understand your question as he was not with us at the World Cup and I still stick with this decision and it’s now time for him to fight for his position. He’s always said he’s up for to fight for his place for England and I’m sure he will show up.”
Tuchel on Palmer and Alexander-Arnold recalls
11:05 , Will Castle
“Straight into names! They had a good start to the season, they didn’t have something wrong, we just chose different. It’s a new competition. Some positions have more injuries, some people have less injuries.
“Cole has his numbers back, he has his assists back, he has his decisive goals back and thats why he’s back in the squad. 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’s his chance to come to camp, to be the best version of himself. He had a good start in two positions for Real Madrid and he comes as a right-back for us.”
Tuchel arrives
11:02 , Will Castle
Here’s the boss...
Awaiting Mr Tuchel
11:01 , Will Castle
The press are in position to hear from Thomas Tuchel on his first England squad post-World Cup.
We’ll bring you everything he says, as he says it.
Redemption for Mainoo?
10:59 , Will Castle
Kobbie Mainoo was the only player included in the World Cup squad not to play a minute of football in the summer, with injury ruling him out of his best opportunity in the third-place play-off against France.
That hasn’t cost him his place in Thomas Tuchel’s roster, though - is this an opportunity for redemption?
Why so many wingers?
10:50 , Will Castle
Thomas Tuchel is not short of options on the wing.
Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon are England’s two starters on the flanks, but they are supported by a possible five options.
Marcus Rashford should, in all honesty, count himself pretty lucky to be in this team ahead of the likes of Morgan Gibbs-White after struggling to make an impact upon his return to Manchester United, who already seem to be plunging into crisis this term. But he does indeed keep his place from the World Cup, as Gordon’s competition on the left (or maybe ‘deputy’ is a more apt description of his role).
The left role is further bolstered by youngster Rio Ngumoha, who naturally also plays from the left but this season is being operated on the right.
Then you have Eberechi Eze, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers; all players who primarily play in the 10 but can and probably will also be asked to move out wide by Tuchel.
Is that depth needed?
Tuchel to talk amid injury concerns
10:42 , Will Castle
Thomas Tuchel will hold a press conference at 11am BST (in about 20 minutes) to discuss his England squad and explain his changes.
Also expect an injury update for a few omissions, namely Chelsea captain Reece James who surprisingly missed out, while Djed Spence and Dean Henderson are also among those who are experiencing fitness problems at present.
Scott and Ngumoha get first call-ups
10:32 , Will Castle
It’s a big day for Bournemouth’s Alex Scott and Liverpool’s Rio Ngumoha, who have been handed their first senior England call-ups by Thomas Tuchel.
The pair were part of the five-man support group that travelled to the United States to help England during their World Cup warm-up phase, alongside Josh King, Ethan Nwaneri and veteran stopper Jason Steele - who is also back in the squad.
Starlet winger Ngumoha, 18, is a regular fixture at Liverpool after a breakout season last term, while Cherries midfielder Scott, 23, is one of the highest-rated young midfielders in the league, attracting interest from Chelsea.
Who's been snubbed?
10:24 , Will Castle
Morgan Gibbs-White will probably feel the hardest done by of the lot, with the Nottingham Forest star missing out on a call-up despite his strong start to the campaign. Marcus Rashford and Eberechi Eze keep their places, perhaps fortuitously amid their comparatively questionable early-season impact.
Man City’s Phil Foden is still out of favour under Thomas Tuchel, a fact that is less surprising after the England boss watched him get sent off in the Manchester derby last weekend. He is still without a goal in 2026. Noni Madueke is another creative player to miss out.
Man United’s Harry Maguire remains out in the cold after his outspoken reaction to missing out on a World Cup spot, while there is no space for the Saudi-based, with Al-Ahli’s Ivan Toney and Al-Hilal new boy Ollie Watkins dropped.
There is also no room for departed ex-Tottenham left-back Djed Spence, who became a favourite at the World Cup.
Still no Adam Wharton, too. The Crystal Palace man captained on the weekend against Ipswich but the 22-year-old, long hailed as England’s future, is not part of England’s present.
Nine new names in huge Tuchel shake-up
10:11 , Will Castle
Thomas Tuchel has shaken things up with his first squad post-World Cup.
We’ve got the unsurprising return of Cole Palmer, but who’s that creeping into the defensive ranks? Trent Alexander-Arnold is back in the fold!
The Real Madrid right-back was overlooked in the summer, even after Tino Livramento’s injury, but Tuchel has given him a shot for the first international break of the season.
Lewis Hall is also into the squad after missing out on a World Cup spot, while Myles Lewis-Skelly is included as a midfielder.
Alex Scott, as was reported, has been picked for a first senior call-up, but he isn’t the only one from that World Cup warm-up group to be included. Rio Ngumoha, Liverpool’s 18-year-old starlet winger, also makes the cut ahead of the likes of Phil Foden and Jarrod Bowen.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin also gets a call-up for his continued form at Leeds, alongside Jarrad Branthwaite from his former employers Everton, while Brighton keeper Jason Steele returns to the squad in the third-choice role.
Nine come in, plus Trevoh Chalobah who was a late replacement for Tino Livramento during the World Cup, so nine must come out. From the World Cup squad, those are: Dean Henderson, Dan Burn, Djed Spence, John Stones, Reece James, Jordan Henderson, Noni Madueke, Ivan Toney, and Ollie Watkins.
Alex Scott set to receive call-up
09:56 , Will Castle
Minutes away from the announcement, we’ve got our first real bit of news.
Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott is set to be picked by Thomas Tuchel, which would be his first call-up to the senior England squad.
Having represented the Three Lions at different youth levels, he travelled to the United States as part the group that supported England during the warm-up to the World Cup.
He has one goal to his name for the Cherries this term and bagged an assist in Bournemouth's Europa League win over Real Sociedad on Thursday.
Palmer's point to prove
09:53 , Will Castle
Cole Palmer said before the season got underway that he had a point to prove after being snubbed from Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad.
Asked if he his omission gave him more motivation, Palmer said during a pre-season trip to Sydney: “Yes, naturally it’s going to. It’s like anything. If someone tells you you’re essentially not good enough to get in the squad, then you’re going to think, ‘all right then, I’m going to try to go that extra bit harder.”
After an injury-marred 2025/26 led to a downturn in performance, he’s certainly began the new campaign playing like he’s got extra motivation. Four goals and two assists in six appearances under new boss Xabi Alonso, he’s excelled in Chelsea’s dynamite front-three.
Will it be enough for the elusive recall?
England squad announcement
09:50 , Lawrence Ostlere
Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad since the World Cup will drop in about 10 minutes’ time. Cole Palmer is expected to be included, but will Phil Foden or Trent Alexander-Arnold be back?
Newcastle’s Lewis Hall and Liverpool’s Rio Ngumoha could be back involved. Other players under consideration are Bournemouth’s Alex Scott and Fulham’s Josh King.
'No one knows what would have happened'
09:44 , Lawrence Ostlere
Tuchel recalls the moment that he decided to make the call and go to a back-five, a strategy that worked in England’s previous two knockout-stage triumphs against Mexico and Norway.
He added: “I think a key moment, if I look back at it and think about what happened and what happened to my decision-making, we conceded a big, big chance right before the water break. And I thought, ‘Okay, we will not survive. This is waiting for death.’ We don't have ball possession. We're not defending good. We're not defending properly in our 4-4-2. We need help.
“Coming with this mindset and coming with the experience that we ended the game against Norway in a back-five, we ended the match against Mexico in a back-five, and we did it. I thought they [Argentina] rely heavily on crosses. They have four strikers in the last line. I think like, ‘Okay, let's play a back five here.’”
The decision proved ill-fated, and when asked by Sturridge if a different strategy might have played better for England, pressing higher and giving Argentina something to think about defensively, Tuchel said: “ No one knows what would've happened. We could have done it and maybe lost 2-1 and people would go like, ‘Is he crazy? Against Norway, he finished the game with five. Why not finish the game off with five?’
“I think from what I saw and the experience and the information and the level of craziness that Argentina put in, change after change after change, it was one offensive change after the other, that was just my solution to the problem.”
Tuchel opens up on World Cup pain
09:33 , Lawrence Ostlere
“It did something to me, it did maybe something to the players, and we suddenly shift into a mindset, ‘Let's just overcome it’; that's how we played.” he told Daniel Sturridge in the FA’s Reflections documentary. “We played like there are four minutes left, but it was actually 30-40 minutes left to play.
“From execution, the details of execution, playing around in the deep build-up, playing around Messi, bringing them to one side, switching the side, bringing the game in the opponent's half, making them suffer, have time to recover physically, mentally in ball possession. We were lacking all these things.
“Argentina then plays very, very quickly. Sorry for the language, ‘f*** it’ football. ‘We have nothing to lose, so let’s f*** it.’ They play two wingers, two strikers, and Messi. So they just take a six off and put a 10 in. At some point they play 3-1-6. And we struggled.”
Tuchel opens up on World Cup pain
09:27 , Lawrence Ostlere
Thomas Tuchel has opened up on England’s World Cup semi-final capitulation and how Argentina’s “f***-it football” left his team “waiting for death”.
England achieved their best World Cup finish since 1966 this summer, taking home bronze after defeating France 6-4 in a thrilling third-place play-off in Miami.
However, their campaign was defined by gut-wrenching semi-final failure against Argentina, which saw England surrender a lead to the defending champions before losing in stoppage time.
The tide of the match seemed to shift in Argentina’s favour after Tuchel went heavily defensive, going to a back-five by bringing on Ezri Konsa with 20 minutes to play, before having the team sit back.
Tuchel received a torrent of criticism for his tactical decision-making, something that was highlighted as his outstanding quality when he was appointed England boss, and the German has now reflected on the “agony of epic proportions” he experienced on that night in Atlanta.
England fixtures
09:14 , Lawrence Ostlere
Here is how the three-week break will work for the Three Lions.
England host Spain at Wembley on 26 September, before away trips to Czechia on 29 September and Croatia on 3 October. The international break will wrap up on 6 October when Czechia visit Wembley for the return fixture.
When will the squad be announced?
09:08 , Lawrence Ostlere
The squad is expected to be confirmed at 10am BST this morning ahead of the manager’s media duties.
Thomas Tuchel is then holding a press conference at around 11am.
England squad announcement
09:02 , Lawrence Ostlere
England made a rollercoaster run to the semi-finals of the World Cup in North America this summer, where they fell to a hugely disappointing defeat by arch rivals Argentina in Atlanta, giving up a one-goal lead with a defensive retreat for which Tuchel and his players were heavily criticised.
Now the England manager and his team have the chance to reset with bumper three-week international break as the 2026/27 Nations League campaign begins. The Three Lions are drawn in League 1, Group C with world champions Spain, Croatia and Czechia, and the group winner will qualify for the Nations League finals in June.
England squad announcement
08:00 , Lawrence Ostlere
Hello and welcome along as we bring you live updates from Thomas Tuchel’s squad announcement at Wembley this morning.
