Palmer, Trent back as Tuchel names England's 27-man Nations League squad
Synopsis
Cole Palmer and Trent Alexander-Arnold are back in an England squad that last time out won a World Cup bronze — their best finish since 1966. With world champions Spain the first opponents at Wembley, Thomas Tuchel's Nations League campaign doubles as a statement of intent about who gets to wear the Three Lions shirt going forward.
Key Takeaways
Cole Palmer and Trent Alexander-Arnold have been recalled after missing the FIFA World Cup 2026 .
Head coach Thomas Tuchel named a 27-member squad for four UEFA Nations League matches in September-October 2026.
England won the bronze medal at the 2026 World Cup — their best result since the 1966 title .
New call-ups include Dominic Calvert-Lewin , Lewis Hall , Rio Ngumoha , Jarrad Branthwaite , Myles Lewis-Skelly , and Alex Scott .
England open their Nations League campaign against world champions Spain at Wembley on 26 September .
The group winner in League A, Group C advances to the Nations League Finals in June.
Cole Palmer and Trent Alexander-Arnold have been recalled to the England squad for the opening four fixtures of the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League campaign, head coach Thomas Tuchel confirmed on 18 September 2026. Both players were notably absent from Tuchel's 26-man FIFA World Cup 2026 squad but have forced their way back into contention through strong early-season club form.
High-Profile Recalls and Fresh Faces
Palmer and Alexander-Arnold are the most prominent names returning to the setup, but they are far from alone. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Lewis Hall, Rio Ngumoha, Jarrad Branthwaite, Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Alex Scott have also earned call-ups as Tuchel reshapes the squad following the conclusion of the domestic off-season. The 27-member group reflects both continuity and experimentation at the start of a new international cycle.
England's World Cup Momentum to Carry Forward
England return to competitive football buoyed by their best World Cup finish in 60 years. The Three Lions claimed the bronze medal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America — their finest showing since lifting the trophy on home soil in 1966. Their campaign ended in a 1-2 semi-final defeat to Argentina, but they recovered to beat France in the third-place play-off. Tuchel will be keen to channel that momentum into a strong Nations League showing.
Nations League Fixtures and Group Stage
England have been drawn in League A, Group C alongside world champions Spain, Croatia, and Czechia. Their campaign opens on 26 September when they host Spain at Wembley. They then travel to Prague to face Czechia on 29 September, before heading to Rijeka3 October. The four-match window closes when Czechia visits Wembley on 6 October. The group winner earns a place at the Nations League Finals in June.
Full Squad
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Jason Steele, James Trafford
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jarrod Branthwaite, Trevor Chalobah, Marc Guehi, Lewis Hall, Ezri Konsa, Tino Livramento, Nico O'Reilly, Jarell Quansah
Midfielders: Elliot 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
What Comes Next
The squad is set to assemble at St George's Park early next week to begin preparations. With Spain — fresh off their World Cup triumph — visiting Wembley in the opener, England's Nations League group is arguably the sternest test in League A, and how Tuchel integrates his returning stars will be closely watched.
Point of View
Why were they left out of a World Cup squad that reached the semi-finals? Tuchel has not offered a public explanation, and the omission will linger as long as both players perform. More broadly, England enter this Nations League cycle with rare psychological capital — a bronze medal, a young core, and a coach who has shown he can make hard calls. The real test is whether Tuchel uses this window to settle his best XI or whether the squad rotation continues to muddy tactical clarity ahead of the next major tournament.
NationPress
18 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were Cole Palmer and Trent Alexander-Arnold left out of England's World Cup squad?
Head coach Thomas Tuchel did not name Palmer or Alexander-Arnold in his 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. No official reason has been publicly detailed, though both have been recalled for the Nations League following strong club form.
How did England perform at the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
England won the bronze medal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, beating France in the third-place play-off after a 1-2 semi-final defeat to Argentina. It was their best World Cup finish since winning the tournament in 1966.
Who are the new call-ups in England's Nations League squad?
Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Lewis Hall, Rio Ngumoha, Jarrad Branthwaite, Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Alex Scott have been included among the new additions, alongside the recalled Palmer and Alexander-Arnold.
What are England's UEFA Nations League fixtures in September and October 2026?
England host Spain at Wembley on 26 September, travel to Prague to face Czechia on 29 September, visit Croatia in Rijeka on 3 October, and then host Czechia again at Wembley on 6 October.
What group are England in for the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League?
England are in League A, Group C alongside world champions Spain, Croatia, and Czechia. The group winner qualifies for the Nations League Finals in June.
