England manager Thomas Tuchel announced his new squad for the UEFA Nations League, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Cole Palmer returning to the international scene and young Liverpool forward Rio Ngumoha.
The 27-man squad was announced on Friday 18 September 2026, ahead of England's opening Nations League games of the new campaign. It follows England’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign and is also a new international cycle for Tuchel’s team.
Trent Alexander-Arnold returns to England Squad.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is going to return in the end as one of the big headlines of the announcement.
Real Madrid defender is selected again in the England squad having been left out of the team’s World Cup squad. His recall is a further addition for Tuchel in the defence and a player who can help defend the team’s position and at the same time in possession.
Alexander-Arnold has 34 senior England caps according to the official England squad profile. His return will draw a lot of attention as England begin their Nations League campaign.
Cole Palmer Also Makes His Comeback
Cole Palmer is another major name returning to the England setup.
The Chelsea attacker was also absent from England's World Cup squad but has now been recalled for the Nations League window. Palmer has already made 14 senior appearances for England and scored twice at international level according to England Football's current squad information.
His inclusion brings Tuchel another creative attacking option for Tuchel as England are facing tough English opposition in the long-term international window of the next few weeks.
Rio Ngumoha included after Senior Debut
Rio Ngumoha is another of the most exciting young names in the squad.
The Liverpool forward who was only 17 when he made his England senior debut, has been retained in the senior side. England Football has also confirmed Ngumoha became the fifth-youngest player to make his senior England debut when he appeared against New Zealand during the team’s World Cup preparations.
His inclusion means Tuchel will continue to expose one of England’s emerging attacking talents to senior international football.
Alex Scott among the young players
Alex Scott is another young player in the squad. The Bournemouth midfielder has yet to make a senior England appearance, and the official England squad listing shows zero senior caps.
Other younger players involved include Myles Lewis-Skelly, Lewis Hall and Jarrad Branthwaite, so the squad has a mixture of internationals and young talent.
Here it is! 🤩
— England (@England) September 18, 2026
Thomas Tuchel's first #ThreeLions squad of the 2026-27 season 🦁 🏴
England's Nations League Fixtures
England will begin their Nations League campaign against Spain at Wembley on September 26. They will then travel to Prague to face Czechia on September 29.
The team will play Croatia away on October 3 before returning to Wembley on October 6 to face Czechia again. England Football lists all four games as part of Group A3.
In the first game against Spain will be particularly important as England open their new Nations League campaign against the world champions.
A New International Chapter For England.
The latest squad includes players such as Trent Alexander-Arnold with established attacking talent like Cole Palmer and young players like Rio Ngumoha and Alex Scott.
Tuchel is also able to assess the team after the World Cup and the Nations League also provides an opportunity for younger players to gain experience at the senior level.
