Three Cut in Madrid as UEFA Limit Forces England Squad Trim
Thomas Tuchel has omitted Jarrad Branthwaite, James Garner, and Josh King from England’s 23-man matchday squad to face Spain on November 15, 2026. UEFA matchday regulations restrict squad lists strictly to 23 players, forcing the England head coach to drop three names from his 26-man travelling contingent in Madrid.
Defensive Returns Reframe Matchday Options
The return to availability of defender Ezri Konsa and full-back Djed Spence directly triggered the exclusions for the fixture at the Metropolitano Stadium. Konsa and Spence missed England’s 2-1 victory against Croatia at Wembley Stadium, but their clearance to play reduced the open positions in the matchday group. Garner featured as a 77th-minute substitute against Croatia, while Branthwaite and 19-year-old midfielder King remained unused substitutes before being omitted entirely for the trip to Madrid.
James Garner
playerEngland enter the final group fixture three points behind Spain in Nations League Group A3. A victory for England secures top spot in the group on goal difference, which guarantees a seeded draw for the two-legged quarter-finals scheduled for March 2027.
“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.”
Jarrad Branthwaite
playerDefender • #32🏃 Everton 🌍 England→