England vs Spain Predicted Line-Up as Thomas Tuchel Weighs Wembley Decisions
England begin a new Nations League campaign against Spain at Wembley on Saturday, and the main story is simple, Thomas Tuchel has bodies available again and decisions to make. After a week disrupted by withdrawals, all 24 members of the squad trained on Thursday at Tottenham Hotspur’s training ground.
That is a useful change from Wednesday, when Lewis Hall was the only absentee at St George’s Park. England Under-19 players Kaden Braithwaite and Malachi Hardy had been brought in to make up the numbers. By Thursday, that issue had gone away.
There is still churn around the squad. Morgan Gibbs-White and James Garner arrived late after five players pulled out with minor injuries. Declan Rice, Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo and Tino Livramento are all out. That matters, particularly in midfield, where Tuchel is short of established options.
Wembley selection issues for Tuchel
At right-back, Trent Alexander-Arnold is the only specialist in the squad. That gives him an obvious route into the side, though Tuchel has left the door open for a more conservative pick. “I will not tell you, of course,” Tuchel said on Friday when asked whether Alexander-Arnold might start against Spain. “He will fight with Jarell Quansah for the position. That’s what the competition is.”
That tells you two things. First, Tuchel is keeping Spain guessing. Second, Quansah is a serious option if England want extra security against wide threats and transitions.
England midfield options against Spain
Midfield is where the real intrigue sits. With Rice, Mainoo, Jordan Henderson and Reece James unavailable, Elliot Anderson looks likely to keep his place. The question is who joins him. Myles Lewis-Skelly is one possibility, Alex Scott another. There is also the obvious tactical adjustment, move Jude Bellingham deeper and free up the No10 role for somebody else.
That may be the cleanest solution. Bellingham can carry the ball, cover ground and dictate tempo. Against Spain, those qualities matter more than sentiment.
England predicted line-up vs Spain
Expected system, 4-2-3-1.
Predicted XI: Jordan Pickford, Jarell Quansah, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, Nico O’Reilly, Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Morgan Rogers, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane.
Kane has another milestone in sight. If he plays all four matches in the next fortnight, he will draw level with Peter Shilton as England men’s most-capped player. That can wait. Spain come first, and Tuchel’s first priority is getting the balance right.
Kick-off is 7:45pm BST on Saturday 26 September 2026 at Wembley Stadium.
