Trent Alexander-Arnold's exclusion from Thomas Tuchel's latest England squad has raised questions about his World Cup prospects, marking another setback in his inconsistent international career. The 27-year-old, who recently returned to Real Madrid after injury, is absent from the 35-man group for the final international camp before the 2026 tournament. His omission comes despite playing in the Champions League knockout stages for Madrid and the absence of first-choice right-back Reece James, who missed recent friendlies. Tuchel confirmed he had not yet spoken to Alexander-Arnold about his exclusion, leaving the full-back out of four consecutive squads. The decision has sparked speculation about his chances of securing a spot in the final 26-man squad, as several players now rank ahead of him. Tuchel highlighted the competition from younger defenders like Jarrell Quansah, Djed Spence, and Tino Livramento, who have impressed in recent matches. Livramento, in particular, has shown promise with his performances for England, including a standout display in a 5-0 win against Serbia. Alexander-Arnold's international career has been marked by inconsistency under Tuchel. The England manager has selected him just once in his 10 games in charge, with the last appearance coming as a substitute in a 1-0 win over Andorra. His form under Gareth Southgate was similarly limited, though he had a notable moment in Euro 2024, scoring the winning penalty against Switzerland. However, his defensive contributions have not aligned with Tuchel's emphasis on physicality and defensive discipline, complicating his case for selection. At Real Madrid, Alexander-Arnold's season has been hampered by recurring injuries, including hamstring and thigh issues that kept him sidelined for months.#england #real_madrid #champions_league #thomas_tuchel #trent_alexanderarnold
