Trent Alexander-Arnold’s hopes of playing at the World Cup have been dealt a blow after his omission from Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad.
The Real Madrid defender’s international career has stalled, with his absence from the squad raising questions about his place in the team for the tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Alexander-Arnold’s England Absence
Tuchel said on Friday he had “not yet” spoken to the 27-year-old about his exclusion, with the full-back now absent from four successive squads.
Alexander-Arnold is back playing for Real Madrid after injury but is not in the 35-man group for the last international camp before Tuchel finalises his squad for this summer’s tournament.
Many expected Alexander-Arnold to be included for the first time since June 2025, especially with Reece James missing the friendly games against Uruguay and Japan on 27 and 31 March.
Despite playing for Real Madrid in the knockout stages of the Champions League and Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier being retired, the former Liverpool defender finds himself out of the squad with at least five other players in front of him.
Tuchel’s Preferred Options
Tuchel, who has made clear his love of the physical nature of English football alongside his want of a solid backline referenced Jarrell Quansah, Djed Spence and Tino Livramento as the players in front of Alexander-Arnold.
Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa, predominately a centre-back, played at right-back in the comfortable win over Wales in October and is an option there too.
“A slightly different profile,” Tuchel said when asked by BBC Sport about what the other players bring.
“It’s not what Trent cannot offer us. I know very well what Trent can offer.
“I suffered when he played against my teams with Liverpool. I know very well about his strengths and what he can give.”
Tuchel is big on players having “credit” for what they have previously done for him and Livramento played in England’s 5-0 away win against Serbia, arguably the most impressive performance since he took charge.
“It is a sporting decision that we stick with Quansah, Livramento and Spence who all can play in camp in the right full-back position,” added the German.
- Quansah
- Livramento
- Spence
“We have evidence with how good we were in September, October and November and the players who are in camp have to push for their ticket. They have to show again that they deserve this spot.”
Alexander-Arnold’s England Career So Far
The last of Alexander-Arnold’s 34 caps came as a substitute during a disappointing 1-0 win over Andorra, with Tuchel opting to start that game with Curtis Jones at right-back.
And the England boss has not selected him since.
It won’t be a huge shock to the Alexander-Arnold, given he has