Tuchel Drops Alexander-Arnold As England Name Final World Cup Audition Squad

Tuchel Drops Alexander-Arnold As England Name Final World Cup Audition Squad
New call-ups and recalls highlight selection shake-up before crucial friendlies
England to face Uruguay and Japan while managing player workload

EKO HOT BLOG reports that German tactician Thomas Tuchel has left out Trent Alexander-Arnold from England’s 35-man squad, describing the selection as the final audition ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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“It’s our last camp. The last opportunity to impress and the last opportunity for players to compete for their ticket,” Tuchel said on March 20 while announcing the squad.

The omission of Alexander-Arnold, alongside Ollie Watkins and Alex Scott, has drawn attention, with Tuchel opting for different profiles across defence and attack.

“I know what Trent can give us and I decided still to stick to the players with us,” he said, describing the decision as “tough” while pointing to alternatives such as Tino Livramento, Djed Spence and Jarell Quansah.

In attack, Watkins misses out as Dominic Calvert-Lewin returns after more than five years away, while Dominic Solanke is handed another opportunity.

There were also surprise inclusions, with James Garner and Jason Steele receiving their first senior call-ups. England confirmed Steele is being considered as a training goalkeeper for the World Cup.

Tuchel also recalled Harry Maguire, Kobbie Mainoo and Fikayo Tomori, while Jude Bellingham made the squad despite injury concerns.

England will face Uruguay and Japan at Wembley Stadium later this month, with Tuchel confirming the camp will be split to manage player workload.

“These guys have played 3,500 minutes, some 4,000 minutes. More important than the pure number of minutes is that some of these guys have played more minutes than the whole of last season,” he said.

“All of these players have contributed in September, October and November. They have credit with me. To give them a break mentally and physically, we will benefit from it.”

England 35-man squad for March international break

Goalkeepers:
Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford, James Trafford, Aaron Ramsdale, Jason Steele

Defenders:
Dan Burn, Marc Guehi, Lewis Hall, Ezri Konsa, Tino Livramento, Harry Maguire, Nico O’Reilly, Jarell Quansah, Djed Spence, John Stones, Fikayo Tomori

Midfielders:
Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, James Garner, Jordan Henderson, Kobbie Mainoo, Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers, Adam Wharton

Forwards:
Jarrod Bowen, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Eberechi Eze, Phil Foden, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane, Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Dominic Solanke