WAYNE ROONEY BACKS ALEXANDER-ARNOLD AFTER SHOCK ENGLAND SNUB

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By: Fasasi Hammad

Former England captain Wayne Rooney has criticised England manager Thomas Tuchel for omitting Trent Alexander-Arnold from his squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup, calling the decision “mind-boggling.”

Alexander-Arnold has been left out of Tuchel’s last four England selections despite returning to regular club action with Real Madrid after recovering from a thigh injury earlier in the year.

Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Podcast on Thursday, Rooney questioned the decision to prefer other defensive options, including 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 recent squad selections have included Tino Livramento, Djed Spence, and Ezri Konsa among defensive options as they prepare for pre-World Cup friendlies.

Rooney added that while Reece James would be his preferred right-back when fit, consistency remains a concern.

Former England defender Phil Jagielka also supported Alexander-Arnold’s inclusion, insisting his quality makes him a strong contender for the tournament squad.

“I think he still makes it. You need your best players,” Jagielka said, adding that a fit and in-form Alexander-Arnold would be “worth taking on the plane.”

The debate also extended to England’s left-back choices, with young defenders Nico O’Reilly and Lewis Hall competing for selection.

Jagielka praised O’Reilly’s attacking ability but noted defensive lapses, while Rooney stressed the importance of balance and defensive solidity in major tournaments, suggesting Luke Shaw as a reliable option.

“We don’t need full-backs to be the most attacking; we need them to defend,” Rooney said, urging balance in the team setup ahead of the World Cup.