Branthwaite, Garner and King omitted for Spain match

England manager Thomas Tuchel has excluded Josh King, James Garner and Jarrad Branthwaite from the 23-man squad selected to face world champions Spain in Madrid this Sunday night. Although England travelled with 26 players, Uefa regulations permit only 23 to be named on a matchday team sheet for Nations League fixtures.

The decision follows the return to fitness of Ezri Konsa and Djed Spence, both of whom were absent for the 2-1 victory against Croatia at Wembley last Thursday. Arsenal's Konsa is in contention for a starting spot, while James Trafford is set to replace Jordan Pickford as goalkeeper.

Garner, who featured as a 77th-minute substitute for Declan Rice against Croatia, saw a late goal disallowed during that encounter. Meanwhile, his Everton colleague Branthwaite and Fulham player King remained on the bench throughout the match. Although 19-year-old midfielder King earned his first senior call-up for these final Group A3 fixtures, he will not play during this international window, unlike fellow debutants Jobe Bellingham and James Hill.

Ben White remains in the squad despite being booed by supporters during his substitute appearance against Croatia. England currently trail Spain by three points in the group, though they lead on goal difference; a victory on Sunday would ensure they finish in the top spot. Tuchel’s team has already confirmed a place in the quarter-finals, which are scheduled for March, with the semi-finals and final to follow in June.

Ahead of the match, Tuchel stated he intended to remind his squad of Uefa’s anti-racism protocols, referencing a 2004 game at the Bernabeu stadium marred by racist chanting. The England coach noted: "We had the same discussion before the Serbia game [in Belgrade in September 2025]. There is a protocol in place. Maybe we take our five minutes to inform the players about the protocol if there is a precedent [in Madrid]."

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente rejected these concerns, stating: "What I'd tell you, and you can tell Thomas, is that in Spain, there's no racism. Just like that, crystal clear. Just like in England, there's no racism in Spain. We aren't racist, any of us."