Alexander-Arnold vows England availability after World Cup squad snub by Tuchel

Trent Alexander-Arnold has told England manager Thomas Tuchel he remains available for international selection at all times, even after being left out of the squad for this summer’s World Cup.

The Real Madrid right-back, 27, was one of several high-profile omissions from Tuchel’s 26-man tournament squad following a difficult debut season in Spain. Alexander-Arnold has started just one La Liga match this season under new Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho, who has largely preferred Netherlands international Denzel Dumfries at right-back.

Speaking to the Mirror in August, Alexander-Arnold made his position clear. “Until I retire, I’m still an England player, whether I’m selected or not,” he said. “I’m always available if and when the manager needs me. There’s no bigger honour.”

His last England cap came in a 1-0 win over Andorra in June 2025, and he acknowledged the World Cup exclusion stung. “I’ll be honest, I was full of hope. When I put the phone down, I was properly gutted. I hope the coaching staff would expect and understand that I was angry.”

Tuchel had been candid about his reasons for leaving the former Liverpool man out, pointing specifically to defensive deficiencies. Before finalising his squad, the England head coach said: “I can see that sometimes he relies heavily on his offensive contributions, and gives not so much emphasis on the defensive discipline and effort.”

Tuchel went further, warning that a single lapse at tournament level can prove fatal. “When we are talking, especially, about qualifying football and then tournament football, the one defensive error, the one moment where you are not 100 per cent awake, can be decisive, can be the moment where you pack your suitcases and go home.”

The first England squad of the new season is due to be announced on Friday, 18 September, ahead of upcoming Nations League fixtures. Whether Tuchel moves to recall Alexander-Arnold will depend largely on the player’s fortunes under Mourinho at the Santiago Bernabeu, where regular starts have so far proved elusive.