Thomas Tuchel has opted not to pick Trent Alexander-Arnold for the World Cup, leaving the Real Madrid star among the latest England players told they can go on holiday instead of travelling to the United States. His call follows other high-profile omissions an
Trent Alexander-Arnold woke up to a decision that felt final before England’s full squad was even unveiled.
The Real Madrid right back has been excluded from the World Cup by Thomas Tuchel. with the England head coach choosing not to select the 27-year-old for the trip to the United States this summer. Alexander-Arnold is the latest name to be swept aside in what has already become a brutal culling of several high-profile figures.
He joins Phil Foden. Cole Palmer. Harry Maguire. Lewis Hall and Luke Shaw among the players told they will be able to jet off on holiday rather than travel for the tournament. For England’s defenders. the contrast is clear: Djed Spence—set to fly out from a Tottenham side that has been relegation-threatened—is expected to be included.
England’s full World Cup squad announcement is due this morning, with live coverage on Daily Mail Sport beginning at 8.30am.
Alexander-Arnold’s absence will land sharply, even if it has been hanging over him for a while. He started for England at Euro 2024 under Gareth Southgate. but Tuchel’s assessment never appeared to shift after his move to Madrid last summer. The former Chelsea manager has consistently leaned toward alternatives. preferring Reece James at right back. while selecting players such as Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson in midfield.
Tuchel’s frustration was laid out as early as March, when he said Alexander-Arnold was “behind other guys” on a “long list” of players. The wording carried the sense of someone being measured against a pecking order that wasn’t going to give way.
In September, October and November, Tuchel described the situation in camp as one built around a different style. “We created a slightly different game model when he was not in camp in September, October, November,” Tuchel said. “So it was a game model built on intensity. built on positivity. built even in the profile of the right full back on overlaps on underlaps. very intense.”.
Tuchel added that the model had naturally narrowed the group. “We just stick to these guys that is on his back and maybe he was with us in June and he should have maybe deserved a second chance.”
He called it a difficult decision—then underlined that Alexander-Arnold would be expected to accept it and keep moving. “It is a very hard decision. I’m aware of it, but yeah, he took it on his chin. He will keep on going. I will make sure that I see some matches from Real Madrid. maybe [in the] Champions League to get my last impressions.”.
For Alexander-Arnold, this exclusion arrives as a reminder that his second act in a new country has not settled into the rhythm he needed. He has been finding his feet at Real Madrid after a difficult start to life there.
On the club side, Real are in disarray and set to go trophyless this season. The wider picture is made more volatile by Jose Mourinho’s return as manager, adding to the sense that Alexander-Arnold’s months in Spain have not come with the stability a player needs.
There has also been personal change. Alexander-Arnold split from model girlfriend Estelle Behnke two months ago.
England’s expected World Cup squad is scheduled to include the following names. Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, James Trafford. Defence: Ezri Konsa, John Stones, Marc Guehi, Dan Burn, Jarell Quansah, Tino Livramento, Nico O’Reilly, Djed Spence, Reece James. Midfield: Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Kobbie Mainoo, Jordan Henderson, Morgan Rogers, Jude Bellingham, Eberechi Eze. Forwards: Harry Kane, Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins, Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon.
Alexander-Arnold is not on that list. The omission is the latest reminder of Tuchel’s bottom-line approach: pick the profile he believes fits the tournament, even if it means leaving out England’s biggest names.
Trent Alexander-Arnold Thomas Tuchel England World Cup squad Real Madrid Djed Spence Reece James Phil Foden Cole Palmer Harry Maguire Lewis Hall Luke Shaw United States Euro 2024 Jordan Pickford