With most spots for the 2026 World Cup already secured, players around the world are now fighting for a place in their national squads. Some are almost guaranteed a seat on the plane to North America next summer, while others still need to prove themselves to their coaches before the season ends.
Two former Liverpool teammates, Jarell Quansah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, fall into the latter category. Quansah has earned a call-up for England’s fixtures this month, but Alexander-Arnold was left out. The 22-year-old made his senior debut in Sunday’s 2–0 win over Albania, featuring at right-back rather than his usual role in central defence. Thomas Tuchel even hinted that the Bayer Leverkusen defender is currently ahead of the Real Madrid star in England’s pecking order.
Speaking on his World Cup squad plans, the England manager said (via BBC Sport):
“I have a lot of trust in Jarell. I see his talent, but also the complete package. He’s tall, he’s fast, he’s strong in build-up play and dominant in the air. He’s played every minute for Leverkusen since the U21 Euros, so for now, he’s slightly ahead of Alexander-Arnold.”
If Tuchel does choose Quansah for the World Cup—possibly at the expense of Alexander-Arnold—it would be a remarkable show of belief in a player who only made his debut days ago. It would also be a blow to the 27-year-old’s pride, already shaken by the circumstances surrounding his departure from Liverpool six months ago.
Alexander-Arnold has featured for just 26 minutes for England in the past year, with untimely injuries costing him opportunities, while Quansah has capitalised on his chance. With only one international break left before Tuchel names his final World Cup squad, the Leverkusen defender won’t get many more direct auditions for the national team boss—making his club performances all the more vital.
The fact that Quansah now has a real shot at making the tournament—and possibly leapfrogging Alexander-Arnold—shows just how impressive he’s been in Germany. It also explains why he may feel justified in making the difficult decision to leave Liverpool earlier this year.
Leave a Reply