Liverpool star named in England squad for UEFA Nations League fixtures

Liverpool star named in England squad for UEFA Nations League fixtures England Squad 2026: Rio Ngumoha Included as Thomas Tuchel Turns to Youth Thomas Tuchel has named a 25-man England squad for the final Nations League fixtures of 2026, and there are a few obvious takeaways. The first is that youth is getting its chance. The second is that a few established names are still on the outside looking in. Liverpool’s sole representative is Rio Ngumoha, the 18-year-old forward who continues to hold Tuchel’s attention. He is still at the start of his senior international career, but the pattern is clear. Tuchel saw something in Florida before the World Cup and has kept him involved since. Rio Ngumoha keeps England place Ngumoha has three senior caps so far and no goals, but that barely matters at this stage. He made his debut in the 1-0 win over New Zealand in Tampa on 6 June, coming on for the second half and becoming England’s fifth-youngest debutant. His competitive debut followed in the 2-0 Nations League win over Czechia. At 18 years and 31 days, only Wayne Rooney and Jude Bellingham were younger when making a competitive debut for England. He then added another substitute appearance against the same opposition a week later. For Liverpool, it is another sign that Ngumoha is moving quickly. He is no passenger in this squad. He is there because Tuchel wants a closer look. Photo: IMAGO Thomas Tuchel calls up fresh names Jobe Bellingham and Josh King both receive their first senior call-ups. Bellingham, now at Borussia Dortmund, steps up with his reputation growing. King, the Fulham teenager, had already trained with the squad before the 2026 World Cup and now makes the full jump. Ben White returns, while Cole Palmer is left out again and has not featured for England since March. Phil Foden is also absent. Those omissions matter because these are not fringe players. Tuchel is making choices, and they are hard ones. England Nations League schedule set England close the group stage with two demanding matches. Croatia visit Wembley on Thursday 12 November, then comes a trip to Madrid to face world champions Spain on Sunday 15 November. Finish first or second and England are into the quarter-finals next March. The forward options include Harry Kane, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Anthony Gordon and Morgan Rogers, with Eberechi Eze and Morgan Gibbs-White also selected. Former Liverpool players Trent Alexander-Arnold, now with Real Madrid, and Jarell Quansah of Bayer Leverkusen are included too. The headline, though, is simple enough. Ngumoha remains in the frame.