Thomas Tuchel explains decision to leave Alexander-Arnold out of England squad

[p]The 27-year-old hasn’t featured for [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/england/j9N9ZNFA/"]England[/a] since Tuchel took charge at the start of 2025, and his chances of playing in the World Cup look slim.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/alexander-arnold-trent/CEVJy6Bc/"]Alexander-Arnold[/a]’s debut season for [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/real-madrid/W8mj7MDD/"]Real Madrid[/a] has been interrupted by several injury issues, but he has been fit since February, making nine appearances across all competitions.[/p][p]Tuchel has explained his decision not to call Alexander-Arnold up, saying, [b]“I know very well what Trent can offer us. [/b][/p][p][b]“I played many times against him and suffered when he played against my teams with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/liverpool/lId4TMwf/"]Liverpool[/a]. So I know very well about his strength and what he can give.[/b][/p][p][b]”But at the moment it is like we have evidence how good we were in September, October, November, and the players who are in camp for right full-back, they have to push for their ticket, they have to compete, they have to show again that they deserve this.”[/b][/p][p]Alexander-Arnold has not featured for England since the summer of 2025, coming off the bench ina 1-0 win over [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/andorra/dnO5z404/"]Andorra[/a].[/p][p]Likewise, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/aston-villa/W00wmLO0/"]Aston Villa[/a] striker [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/watkins-ollie/rHnOkDD8/"]Ollie Watkins[/a] has also not been called up after scoring just three goals in 16 appearances since the start of 2026.[/p][embed guid="d0eeac90-d5d6-4681-85c4-9c5cb92906bf" url="https://x.com/England/status/2034932711228354667" social-type="twitter" /][p]“I know that it's a tough decision for Trent as it is for Ollie Watkins at the moment and for [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/shaw-luke/88iLXV0O/"]Luke Shaw[/a]. [/p][p]“These tough decisions come with the job. It is a sporting decision.[/p][p]“It is a sporting decision that we stick with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/quansah-jarell/KtIpCeFE/"]Quansah[/a], with Livramento and with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/spence-djed/GQAxKWes/"]Spence[/a]. It is a decision for [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/solanke-dominic/OrADwZse/"]Dominic Solanke[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/calvert-lewin-dominic/0WmBe6U2/"]Dominic Calvert-Lewin[/a], who I don't know as well as I know, for example, Ollie Watkins.[/p][p][b]”I feel I have a very clear picture of what Ollie can give us. I saw him in tournaments. I saw him with us in qualifying football, so I want to have a look at two other players to get a better picture and have a clearer opinion.[/b][/p][p][b]“I know it's a tough one. I know it's a big name. I think it's a huge talent and with a big career, but I feel that I know what Trent can give us and decided still to stick to the players who were in camp.”[/b][/p]