Trent Alexander-Arnold snub: why Tuchel left him out of England’s World Cup squad

Trent Alexander-Arnold has watched England’s World Cup campaign unfold from the sidelines after Thomas Tuchel left the Real Madrid full-back out of his final squad altogether. With his name absent from the roster submitted to FIFA, the 27-year-old was never eligible to feature, including in the last-16 tie against Mexico.

The decision has raised eyebrows given Alexander-Arnold’s pedigree, but a combination of tactical, form and squad-depth factors appears to explain why Tuchel chose to leave one of the Premier League’s most decorated right-backs at home.

Defensive doubts and a difficult first season in Spain

Long-standing questions over Alexander-Arnold’s defensive discipline have followed him for years, and Tuchel is understood to prefer full-backs who prioritise solidity over attacking ambition in high-pressure knockout football. His move from boyhood club Liverpool to Real Madrid last summer also proved a tricky transition, with the adjustment to a new country, language and system contributing to an inconsistent debut campaign in La Liga.

That indifferent form in Spain coincided with a sharp drop in the attacking output that once made him one of the most creative full-backs in Europe. Having built his reputation on prolific assist numbers at Liverpool, his creative contribution fell away significantly during his first year with Real Madrid, further weakening his case for inclusion.

Stiff competition at right-back

The right-back position remains one of the most keenly contested in the England squad. Tuchel initially opted for Reece James, Tino Livramento and Djed Spence, all of whom were judged better suited to the tactical demands he wants at this World Cup, leaving Alexander-Arnold out of both the preliminary and final squads.

His unorthodox playmaking style is also said not to fit neatly into the structure Tuchel favours, which relies on specialists carrying out precise defensive or midfield instructions depending on the state of the game. Gareth Southgate’s experiment to use Alexander-Arnold as a central midfielder at Euro 2024 was widely regarded as unsuccessful, and with those midfield roles now occupied by other specialised players, that alternative route into the side has effectively been closed off.

Lack of caps and injuries elsewhere

Alexander-Arnold’s absence from the international set-up has also counted against him. His most recent England appearance came in a brief 26-minute cameo against Andorra back in June 2025, leaving him disconnected from the squad’s evolving tactical work ahead of the tournament.

Even when injuries hit England’s right-back options during the World Cup, Tuchel showed no sign of reconsidering his stance. Livramento withdrew before the opening group match against Croatia, but the manager turned to Trevoh Chalobah rather than recalling Alexander-Arnold. Jarell Quansah then filled in at right-back after James was injured, before also picking up a knock himself, with Spence deployed in the position against DR Congo.

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