Tuchel names England squad as Alexander-Arnold and Palmer return and Tuchel addresses omissions and World Cup criticism

From the Newshound archive · first published 19 September 2026.

Thomas Tuchel has named his first England squad since the World Cup, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Cole Palmer among the standout returns for four Nations League fixtures against Spain, Czech Republic and Croatia. Tuchel admitted he owes Mainoo playing time after the Manchester United midfielder went the entire tournament without a single minute, saying: 'That was totally on me.' Ben White and Reece James both miss out through injury, while Phil Foden and Morgan Gibbs-White are again overlooked.

Tuchel told Mainoo: 'He did not put a foot wrong — we just trusted the others more than we trusted Kobbie.'

Gibbs-White's fiancée Britney De Villiers responded on Instagram by highlighting that he is the only player to have created five or more chances in a single Premier League game this season.

Teenagers Rio Ngumoha and uncapped Alex Scott are included, while Tuchel made light of his World Cup semi-final substitutions, joking he 'got told off' — before insisting he had the FA's full backing throughout.