Spence and Toney make England World Cup 26; Alexander-Arnold omitted
England named a 26‑man World Cup squad with Djed Spence and Ivan Toney included and Trent Alexander‑Arnold left out. The selections raise tactical questions for Gareth Southgate.
England manager Gareth Southgate has named a 26‑player squad for the 2026 World Cup that includes Djed Spence and Ivan Toney but omits Trent Alexander‑Arnold, according to a Guardian live blog published on 22 May 2026. The selections — particularly the inclusion of a versatile full‑back in Spence and the recall of forward Toney — reshape England’s options ahead of the tournament and will prompt debate over tactical balance and right‑side creativity.
Why it matters
Spence’s inclusion offers Southgate a full‑back able to operate on either flank, increasing squad flexibility in a tight 26‑man group. Toney’s presence brings a different striker profile, while Alexander‑Arnold’s absence removes a well‑known creative outlet from set pieces and open play, affecting how England might approach wide play and free‑kick situations.
How the selections change England’s options
Djed Spence is noted in the live report as the final man in the 26. The Guardian highlights his ability to play on both flanks, which suggests Southgate values positional versatility when assembling a limited squad. Ivan Toney’s inclusion signals a preference for depth in the striker pool. The live blog explicitly notes that Trent Alexander‑Arnold is not part of the squad.
Immediate implications for selection and tactics
With Alexander‑Arnold omitted, England lose a specialist right‑side passer and set‑piece taker who has been influential for club and country. That may shift set‑piece responsibilities and encourage Southgate to use different patterns to create chances from wide areas. Spence’s capacity to play on either flank could allow Southgate to adjust in‑game without using substitutions solely to change full‑back characteristics.
- Djed Spence is included in England’s 26‑man World Cup squad (Guardian live blog, 22 May 2026).
- Ivan Toney is named in the squad (Guardian live blog, 22 May 2026).
- Trent Alexander‑Arnold is not included in the squad (Guardian live blog, 22 May 2026).
- The source is a live blog and does not provide the full official FA release or manager quotes.
Context and unanswered questions
The Guardian live blog provides the core selections but does not publish the full squad list or official statements from the Football Association or Gareth Southgate. It also does not include reasons given by the manager, medical or fitness updates for the players, or how the rest of the 26‑man list shapes the balance across positions. Those details are important for a fuller understanding of selection rationale and tactical planning.
What happens next
The FA usually issues an official squad announcement with the complete 26 names and accompanying comments from the manager; readers should consult that release for confirmation. Further reporting should verify the full squad, any official explanations for Alexander‑Arnold’s omission, and how set‑piece and wide‑play duties will be redistributed.