Former England captain Wayne Rooney blasted Thomas Tuchel’s omission of Trent Alexander‑Arnold from the 35‑man squad as "mind‑boggling". Alexander‑Arnold, a regular for Real Madrid since a January thigh injury, missed friendlies against Uruguay and Japan while Chelsea’s Reece James was sidelined. Rooney said the decision baffled him.

The exclusion comes after Alexander‑Arnold’s return to form and a solid season at Real Madrid. Tuchel’s squad also featured Newcastle’s Tino Livramento, Tottenham’s Djed Spence and Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa ahead of the former Liverpool star. Rooney stressed that Alexander‑Arnold’s proven ability at Liverpool could justify a World Cup spot, while former Everton teammate Phil Jagielka echoed that sentiment.

Rooney added that if Reece James returns to fitness, he would slot him into the right‑back position, citing James’ defensive shortcomings. He also argued that England’s full‑backs need to defend first, preferring Manchester United’s Luke Shaw for his defensive solidity. The debate underscores how squad selection will shape England’s campaign in Canada, Mexico and the USA.