Reece James ruled out of England squad as Tuchel confirms Chelsea injury blow

Reece James has been ruled out of England’s Nations League squad after suffering an injury that will also cast doubt over his involvement in Chelsea’s Premier League trip to Brentford on Friday evening.

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso was cagey when asked about James’s fitness on Thursday, saying only: “It was just a decision and we see his development, and tomorrow we will decide.” However, the captain is unlikely to feature at the Gtech Stadium and has been omitted from Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad since the World Cup.

With James absent, Trent Alexander-Arnold has been handed a surprise recall to the 27-man selection. Fellow right-back Tino Livramento, who withdrew from the World Cup squad with a calf injury, has also been included as England begin their 2026/27 Nations League campaign.

The recall of Alexander-Arnold comes at a significant moment for Tuchel’s side. England endured a bruising World Cup exit this summer, falling to Argentina in the semi-finals in Atlanta after surrendering a one-goal lead — a defensive collapse that drew sharp criticism of both the manager and his players.

England have been drawn in Nations League League A, Group C alongside world champions Spain, Croatia and Czechia, with the group winner advancing to the finals in June. Tuchel’s squad open their campaign by hosting Spain at Wembley on 26 September, before away fixtures against Czechia on 29 September and Croatia on 3 October. The break concludes on 6 October when Czechia return to Wembley for the group’s final round of matches.