England manager Thomas Tuchel has announced his 27-man squad today, September 18, 2026, for a demanding block of UEFA Nations League A, Group A3 fixtures, marking the team’s first competitive matches since securing a bronze medal at the FIFA World Cup earlier this summer.
The squad sees the notable returns of dynamic Chelsea forward Cole Palmer and Real Madrid defender Trent Alexander-Arnold, both eager to make an impact on the international stage.
England Name Squad For UEFA Nations League 2026
The Three Lions face a challenging schedule, kicking off their campaign at home against reigning European champions Spain, followed by away trips to Czechia and Croatia, before concluding the international window with a second home tie against Czechia. The selection reflects a blend of established stars and promising talents, with several players looking to cement their places in Tuchel’s plans.
Squad Breakdown
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (Leeds United), Jason Steele (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Real Madrid), Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Trevoh Chalobah (Como), Marc Guehi (Manchester City), Lewis Hall (Newcastle United), Ezri Konsa (Arsenal), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City), Jarell Quansah (Liverpool)
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Eberechi Eze, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Kobbie Mainoo, Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Declan Rice, Alex Scott
Forwards: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane, Rio Ngumoha (Chelsea), Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka
Fixtures at a Glance
England’s busy Nations League schedule is as follows:
- England vs. Spain
- Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
- Kick-off: 7:45 PM BST
- Venue: Wembley Stadium, London
- Competition: UEFA Nations League A, Group A3
- Czechia vs. England
- Date: Tuesday, September 29, 2026
- Kick-off: 6:45 PM UTC (7:45 PM BST)
- Venue: Fortuna Arena, Prague
- Competition: UEFA Nations League A, Group A3
- Croatia vs. England
- Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
- Kick-off: 5:00 PM BST (18:00 local time)
- Venue: Stadion Rujevica, Rijeka
- Note: This match will be played behind closed doors due to a UEFA sanction against Croatia.
- Competition: UEFA Nations League A, Group A3
- England vs. Czechia
- Date: Tuesday, October 6, 2026
- Kick-off: 7:45 PM BST
- Venue: Wembley Stadium, London
- Competition: UEFA Nations League A, Group A3
Head-to-Head Records and Recent Form
England enters this international window following a bronze medal finish at the recent FIFA World Cup. Their recent competitive form includes a loss to Argentina (1-2) in the World Cup semi-finals.
| Opponent | Total Matches Played | England Wins | Draws | Opponent Wins | Last Meeting & Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | 27 | 14 | 3 | 11 | Euro 2024 Final, Spain 2-1 England (July 14, 2024) |
| Czechia | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | Not specified in recent results, but past records show England dominance. |
| Croatia | 11 (since 1994) | 6 | 2 | 3 | FIFA World Cup 2026 opener, England 4-2 Croatia (Dallas) |
This robust squad selection by Thomas Tuchel indicates England’s intent to start their Nations League campaign strongly as they build towards future major tournaments.