Trent Alexander-Arnold left out of England squad as Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford make cut

London – Trent Alexander-Arnold’s resurgent form at Real Madrid has not been enough to earn him a place in Thomas Tuchel’s final England squad before this summer’s World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

The 26-year-old right-back, who swapped Anfield for the Bernabéu last summer, has shaken off an injury-plagued start to the campaign and started regularly under Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa while veteran Dani Carvajal has been relegated to the bench. Yet when Tuchel unveiled his 26-man selection on Thursday, Alexander-Arnold’s name was conspicuously absent.

Instead, Tuchel has placed his faith in Newcastle’s Tino Livramento and Tottenham’s Djed Spence to provide cover in the right-sided defensive role, leaving the European champion on the outside looking in.

The decision is all the more striking given the inclusion of two of Alexander-Arnold’s club colleagues. Jude Bellingham, sidelined since early February with a shoulder complaint, has been retained despite ongoing doubts over his availability for Sunday’s Madrid derby against Atlético. Bellingham is pencilled in for a late fitness test but England’s medical staff are prepared to manage his rehabilitation within the camp.

Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford has also been summoned after a productive, if inconsistent, season at Barcelona. The 27-year-old has featured in only four of Barça’s last seven matches, failing to register a goal or assist in that sequence, yet Tuchel believes his experience and versatility across the front line merit inclusion.

The England manager has history with both Madrid stars. In September he issued a public apology for describing aspects of Bellingham’s on-field conduct as “repulsive”, while weeks later he praised Alexander-Arnold’s “unique qualities” and insisted the defender “needs to feel the faith of his managers” to flourish. That faith has not, for now, translated into a ticket to North America.

With the World Cup draw looming, Alexander-Arnold faces a stark reality: a starting berth for the European champions may no longer guarantee international recognition.