Tuchel Drops 27-Year-Old Alexander-Arnold from England's World Cup Squad as Panama Match Nears
Updated
Updated · AS USA · Jun 27
Tuchel Drops 27-Year-Old Alexander-Arnold from England's World Cup Squad as Panama Match Nears
3 articles · Updated · AS USA · Jun 27
Summary
Trent Alexander-Arnold, 27, was left out of England’s 26-man World Cup squad and will miss Saturday’s group-stage game against Panama.
Thomas Tuchel’s decision reflected long-running concerns over the Real Madrid defender’s defensive awareness and tactical discipline, despite his technical quality on the ball.
Tuchel said England were built around the “best possible team,” not simply the 26 most talented players, with specialists chosen for game states, set pieces and penalties.
The omission was not sudden: Alexander-Arnold was absent from Tuchel’s 55-man preliminary list and has not played for England since June 2025.
England already have 4 points from 2 matches and need only a draw against Panama to secure a top-two finish in the group.