England squad announcement LIVE: Thomas Tuchel offers Trent Alexander-Arnold shock Three Lions lifeline - while Liverpool teen Rio Ngumoha earns a call-up - as boss names his first squad since World Cup semi-final heartbreak

1 hour ago 18

Follow Daily Mail Sport's live blog as Thomas Tuchel names his 27-man squad for the upcoming Nations League clashes.

Tuchel: Fans aren't on my back over Argentina subs

IAN LADYMAN AT WEMBLEY:

Tuchel says 99.9 percent of people he meets 'don't talk to me about my subs against Argentina'.

He says they want to talk about 'Mexico, Congo and the second half against Croatia'.

Mmmm... I am not sure I believe this.

Thomas Tuchel, England coach taking to his players in a hydration break during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi Final match between England and Argentina at Atlanta Stadium on July 15, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Simon M Bruty/Getty Images)

Branthwaite earns 'dream' recall

While returns for Palmer and Alexander-Arnold will undoubtedly hog the headlines, Jarrad Branthwaite's England recall should not go unnoticed.

England have been crying out for an imposing, left-footed centre-half for years and Branthwaite appeared to fit that mold perfectly, until a series of troubling injuries hampered his gametime.

Marc Guehi will likely stay England's first-choice left-sided centre-back for now, but having Branthwaite back fully fit is a bonus for the German.

Here's what Branthwaite told Everton after his 'dream' England recall:

A strange claim from the England boss...

IAN LADYMAN AT WEMBLEY:

Tuchel saying the nature of English football does not lend itself to tournaments.

'It's not economical,' he said.

That's a bit strange coming from a manager who said at the start of his reign that he wanted to build an England team playing Premier League football.

Tuchel: Palmer has his numbers back

The England manager added that Cole Palmer's goal contributions played a key role in his return - and that Trent Alexander-Arnold was 'never off the list' despite his World Cup snub.

They had a good start to the season. They never did something wrong. We just chose different players.

So now it is a new competition, some players, some positions have more injuries, some have less injuries. But, Cole has his start that he always had but he has his numbers back, he has his assists back, he has decisive goals back so that is why he is 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 is his chance to show, come to camp and 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: No 'continuation' possible after injuries

IAN LADYMAN AT WEMBLEY:

Tuchel has hinted that some of the big decisions have been forced upon him by injury.

'When we first looked at it, I was looking at a continuation of the World Cup squad,' said Tuchel. 'But then things happened.

'Ben White for example has an injury and that was a shame'

The more I think about this, the more I suspect the Alexander-Arnold decision has been forced upon the England coach.

Soccer Football - Nations League - England Press Conference - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - September 18, 2026 General view of England manager Thomas Tuchel during a press conference Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra

Tuchel: The door is ALWAYS open

The German was quick to tell the media that the door is always open for players to earn recalls after bringing back the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Cole Palmer to the fold.

When asked whether he has had trust issues with Alexander-Arnold in the past, he quickly refuted it - and urged that the door is never closed for anyone, perhaps in a message to the likes of Morgan Gibbs-White and Phil Foden who will feel disappointed this morning.

John Walton/PA Wire.RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.

Scott 'deserves' England call-up and we're excited about Ngumoha, says Tuchel

Here's what Tuchel had to say about 'adventurous' Rio Ngumoha and 'outstanding' Alex Scott after their inclusions today:

Alex Scott has maybe one of the best performances in the Premier League since the start. Individually he's one of the outstanding midfielders and clearly deserves to be with us.

He took another step into right direction, very impressive and happy he's on that route and now plays in Europe for Bournemouth and deserves to be with us.

Rio was very impressive at this kind of age - he was explosive, adventurous, he was strong in 1v1s like a true winger. He had good friendlies in house and against New Zealand on both wings.

This is an opportunity for him to show that he can be a real alternative. We are really excited about his potential and about his natural courage and adventurous style of play.

File photo dated 06/06/2026 of Rio Ngumoha. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Cole Palmer made headline-grabbing England returns as Thomas Tuchel included Rio Ngumoha, Alex Scott and Jarrad Branthwaite in his first squad since the World Cup. Issue date: Friday September 18, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire.

File photo dated 06/06/2025 of Alex Scott. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Cole Palmer made headline-grabbing England returns as Thomas Tuchel included Rio Ngumoha, Alex Scott and Jarrad Branthwaite in his first squad since the World Cup. Issue date: Friday September 18, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Martin Rickett/PA Wire.

Is Trent fourth-choice still?

IAN LADYMAN AT WEMBLEY

Another way of looking at the Trent Alexander-Arnold situation is that Tuchel is without three right-backs – Reece James, Ben White and Djed Spence.

This could be another classic Tuchel moment of pragmatism.

I need a right-back so I will pick the next one on my list.

It was only last November when Tuchel said Trent was behind Jarell Quansah in the pecking order and that may still be the case.

What we know is that Tuchel would have absolutely no qualms about picking Trent for this squad and leaving him out of the next one.

The Dowman Debate

Former Premier League striker Jay Bothroyd has told Tuchel he made a mistake not calling up 16-year-old Arsenal wonderkid Max Dowman to England duty.

On Sky Sports, he said: 'Max Dowman should be in that squad for me, I feel like he's going to be the future of England.'

While yes, he scored an impressive brace against Ipswich in the Carabao Cup, Dowman has only played one match so far this season and has never had a regular run in Arsenal's first team.

For me, it's way too early to be thinking of calling up Dowman, even just for the experience. But what do you think?

Max Dowman of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's third goal with Viktor Gyokeres during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Ipswich Town and Arsenal at Portman Road on September 15, 2026 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Tuchel: Palmer's in 'good shape'

Cole Palmer starting week in week out for Chelsea was a major factor in Thomas Tuchel deciding to recall him to the England ranks.

Last season, Palmer was in and out of injury issues and struggled for regular game time, but now he's fit and firing again Tuchel is keen to offer him another chance.

Tuchel explained Palmer's selection via the England app today:

Cole starts every game for Chelsea. He's a regular starter, he decides matches, he has his numbers back. So everyone up front at least starts regularly for their clubs or produces minutes and is in good shape.

As he showed with his goal in the Euro 2024 final, Palmer has the ability to turn a game on its head from nowhere.

It'll be interesting to see how he and new Chelsea team-mate Morgan Rogers link up in an England shirt too...

Too many cooks?

IAN LADYMAN AT WEMBLEY

There are 27 players in this squad and that’s understandable given England will play four games in elven days.

I still think it feels fleshy, though.

Is Jarell Quansah an international defender? Is Trevoh Chalobah?

I am not sure.

There are also some players in here that are not on amazing form and young Rio Ngumoah of Liverpool is one of those.

Nick Potts/PA Wire.RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.

Foden, Maguire and Watkins among notable absentees

There's still no room for Phil Foden after his World Cup snub, and Harry Maguire's outburst at not being selected for the summer tournament has not helped his cause either.

Here are some of the big names missing from the squad. Should any feel hard done by? I'd like to see Morgan Gibbs-White and Adam Wharton find a way into England's midfield, personally...