Former England captain Wayne Rooney has strongly criticised England manager Thomas Tuchel over the decision to leave Trent Alexander-Arnold out of the national team’s World Cup squad, calling the move “mind-boggling.”
Alexander-Arnold, who plays for Real Madrid, has reportedly been excluded from England’s last four squad selections despite returning to regular football after recovering from a thigh injury earlier in the year.
Speaking on the Wayne Rooney Podcast, Rooney questioned why other defenders were preferred ahead of the former Liverpool right-back, particularly Ben White.
“No disrespect to Ben White — he’s a fantastic player — but for him to be in the squad and playing ahead of Trent is mind-boggling,” Rooney said.
England’s defensive selections for upcoming friendlies ahead of the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States include Tino Livramento, Djed Spence, and Ezri Konsa.
Rooney noted that Reece James remains his preferred choice at right-back when fit, though he expressed concerns about the player’s consistency and defensive reliability.
He added that England’s current full-back options are not particularly strong defensively, stressing the need for balance in the squad.
Former England defender Phil Jagielka also supported Alexander-Arnold’s inclusion, arguing that top players should not be left out of major tournaments if fit and in form.
“I think he still makes it,” Jagielka said, adding that Alexander-Arnold’s quality at his best level makes him worthy of selection.
The discussion also covered England’s left-back competition, with Nico O’Reilly and Lewis Hall both being considered, while Luke Shaw was highlighted by Rooney as a dependable option for major tournaments due to his experience.
As England finalises preparations for the World Cup, debate continues over squad selection and whether established stars have been unfairly left out.
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