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Archive photo · 23 June 2026Thomas Tuchel Omits Josh King, James Garner, Jarrad Branthwaite for Spain Nations League Clash
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Tuchel omits Josh King, James Garner and Jarrad Branthwaite from England squad for Spain clash. England traveled with 26 players; 23-man matchday squad required by Uefa rules.
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Spain and England Decider
Spain and England meet in the UEFA Nations League in Madrid on Sunday, November 15 at 20:45 local time at the Metropolitano Stadium, with Spain seeking to extend its unbeaten run and England aiming to snatch top spot in Group A3. Spain’s recent 2-0 victory over the Czech Republic came this past Thursday, with Álex Baena and Marc Pubill scoring, and Spain’s squad includes Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal after both returned from missing the Czech Republic match. England manager Thomas Tuchel omitted Josh King, James Garner and Jarrad Branthwaite from his squad for the match, and Tuchel’s selection decision was linked to UEFA rules that allow only 23 players in a matchday squad for Nations League games.
England travelled to Spain with a squad of 26, and the return to fitness of Ezri Konsa and Djed Spence contributed to the trio’s omission as James Trafford was set to replace Jordan Pickford in goal. England sit three points behind Spain in their group, and a win would secure top spot and a quarter-final tie against a runner-up from one of the other League A groups in March.
Omissions and Anti-Racism
Tuchel left out Josh King, James Garner and Jarrad Branthwaite, and the BBC said the return to fitness of Ezri Konsa and Djed Spence helped shape the decision. Garner replaced Declan Rice in the 77th minute of England’s 2-1 victory over Croatia at Wembley, and Tuchel’s squad trimming also meant King, who received his first senior call-up for the two final Nations League fixtures in Group A3, would not feature in this international window.
Luis de la Fuente dismissed concerns about racism, telling reporters: "What I'd tell you, and you can tell Thomas, is that in Spain, there's no racism." Thomas Tuchel said he had reminded his players of Uefa’s anti-racism protocols, and Tuchel added: "There is a protocol in place."
What the Match Changes
Spain go into the match top on 15 points, three clear of England in second, and a draw would be enough for Spain to seal first place in the group. England must win to draw level on points, and the sources said goal difference in the head-to-head meetings and other factors would decide things if the two sides finished level. Spain’s coach Luis de la Fuente made cuts after recovering key players who had missed the recent 2-0 win over the Czech Republic, and the Goal report said Alejandro Grimaldo departed the camp after catching flu.
Goal also said Lamine Yamal did not travel to Prague as he recovers from a knee injury, while Oyarzabal stayed in San Sebastián for the birth of his second child, and both men joined up with the national team’s camp in Madrid ahead of the England clash. England’s matchday picture also included a potential change in goal, with the BBC saying James Trafford was set to replace Jordan Pickford in goal as England looked to secure a first-place finish in Group A3.
