Trent Alexander-Arnold left out of England squad as Thomas Tuchel apologises for 'repulsive' Jude Bellingham comment
Updated 29/08/2025 at 18:29 GMT+1
Real Madrid's Trent Alexander-Arnold has been dropped by Thomas Tuchel for England's upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia after not starting in either of the most recent international matches in June. The full-back's Los Blancos team-mate Jude Bellingham misses out through injury, but Tuchel took the chance to apologise for previous comments made about the midfielder.
'I should have done better' - Tuchel 'sorry' for Bellingham comments
Video credit: SNTV
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been left out of Thomas Tuchel's latest England squad.
The 26-year-old made the previous squad in June, but he did not start in either match and will not be part of the set-up for the upcoming qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia.
It comes following his move from Liverpool to Real Madrid in the summer, with the Englishman starting in the Spanish side's first La Liga match of the campaign before dropping to the bench on Sunday.
Alexander-Arnold's Madrid team-mate Jude Bellingham is also missing from the squad, with the midfielder currently recovering from shoulder surgery.
But Bellingham's name still cropped on on Friday as Tuchel apologised for comments he made in June in which he said his mother found some of the 22-year-old's on-field antics "repulsive".
"I used this word unintentionally, just to make it very clear," Tuchel told reporters. "I had no intention, there was no message, there was no hidden agenda.
"I fully understand it’s my responsibility that I created these headlines. I’m sorry for the upset and for the headlines that I created.
"I'm experienced enough, I should have known better, I should have done better. I thought I’d have a little bit more credit maybe with you guys that I do all this in my second language. I did it on the morning after a loss, with not a lot of sleep, I did it in a live interview and I used the wrong word. Yeah, again, it's my responsibility.
He added: "I made straight away contact with him, of course and I got in touch with him straight away. Jude’s focus is now in his rehabilitation."
Everton's Jack Grealish is another high-profile name to miss out, despite impressing on his first start for the Merseyside club following his loan move from Manchester City.
Discussing the omission of the winger and Alexander-Arnold, Tuchel said: "We decided for a tighter, more competitive squad; we didn't use all 23 players to make it more competitive to be in the squad.
"There is no doubt I am a big fan of Trent and Jack, of both of their talents and of their personalities. They are big players, and they will always be in the mix to be called up.
"I know both of them are desperate to come back, which is really important.
"But for this camp, we decided on Trent's position for Reece [James] and Tino Livramento simply out of competition, and we decided on Jack's position for [Marcus] Rashford, Antony [Gordon] and Eberechi [Eze]. The competition is up."
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England manager Thomas Tuchel
Image credit: Getty Images
Notable inclusions: Elliot and Spence handed first senior call-ups
Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson and Tottenham Hotspur defender Djed Spence have earned their first England call-ups.
Anderson was a key part of England’s Under-21 European Championship-winning side this summer after an impressive season as Forest qualified for Europe, while Spence was part of Tottenham's Europa League-winning side and has also featured for England's Under-21s.
Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford, who will spend this season on loan at Barcelona, is back in the fold after missing out in June through injury.
Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton will be hoping to add to his single full cap after being left out of Tuchel's first two squads.
Jordan Henderson is once again called up by the German, with the 35-year-old having played in three of the German's four games in charge.
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'He can add a lot to the England squad' - Ward assesses Wharton after Community Shield display
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Explaining his decision to include Anderson and Wharton for the first time, Tuchel said: "We called both of them up because, first of all, we think both of them deserve it. They played roles in two very successful campaigns for their clubs in the last season.
"Adam was involved in major trophies for Crystal Palace and a regular starter in central midfield. Eliott was a key part of the campaign that led to Europe for Nottingham Forest. He is, for me, more of an eight and Adam more of a six, from his characteristics.
"They had a good start to the season, they have full rhythm, and it's time for more competition, time for a bit of fresh blood, and that's why they deserve to be with us."
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Despite Alexander-Arnold's exclusion, there is also no room for Kyle Walker, while Al-Ahli striker Ivan Toney is another to miss out, having been in the squad in June.
Cole Palmer and Bukayo Saka join Bellingham as key figures missing from the squad through injury, along with Levi Colwill.
England take on Andorra at Villa Park on Saturday, 6 September, before travelling to Belgrade to play Serbia on the following Tuesday.
Tuchel's men currently sit top of Group K with three wins out of three.
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