England manager Thomas Tuchel has announced his squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers, and the big surprise is the omission of Trent Alexander-Arnold, the Real Madrid full-back, who will not feature in the matches against Andorra and Serbia.

Why Was Alexander-Arnold Left Out?

The former Liverpool star, who joined Real Madrid this summer, has struggled for minutes at the start of the season. After playing 70 minutes in Madrid’s LaLiga opener, he only featured in stoppage time during their 3-0 win over Real Oviedo last weekend.

His international form has also suffered. Alexander-Arnold has only logged 23 minutes for England since October 2024, due to a mix of injuries and time on the bench. While he was included in Tuchel’s last squad, this time the coach has decided to leave him out.

What Other Absences Stand Out?

Tuchel’s squad also excludes Jude Bellingham, who is recovering from shoulder surgery, and Conor Gallagher, the Atlético de Madrid midfielder.

Another notable absence is Jack Grealish, who has yet to convince Tuchel following his move to Everton.

Who Are the New Faces in the Squad?

The biggest surprise is the call-up of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, who could make his debut for the Three Lions.

Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford, now with Barcelona, has been recalled after missing the previous squad.

Full England Squad

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford, James Trafford
Defenders: Reece James, Marc Guehi, John Stones, Dan Burn, Ezri Konsa, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Tino Livramento, Djed Spence
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson, Morgan Gibbs-White, Jordan Henderson, Adam Wharton, Morgan Rogers, Declan Rice
Forwards: Harry Kane, Eberechi Eze, Jarrod Bowen, Anthony Gordon, Noni Madueke, Marcus Rashford, Ollie Watkins

Upcoming England Fixtures

• September 6, 2025: England vs Andorra, at Villa Park
• September 9, 2025: Serbia vs England, in Belgrade