Rooney Critiques Tuchel's Snub of Alexander-Arnold

Wayne Rooney expressed his disbelief regarding Thomas Tuchel's decision to omit Trent Alexander-Arnold from the England squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Speaking on his podcast, Rooney questioned the rationale behind selecting Ben White over Alexander-Arnold, especially given Tuchel's recent squad choices despite Alexander-Arnold's return to regular action with Real Madrid after recovering from a thigh injury earlier in the year.

Rooney acknowledged that Reece James is England's first-choice right-back when fit but raised concerns about his defensive reliability. Former England defender Phil Jagielka supported Rooney's view, advocating for Alexander-Arnold's inclusion while also noting the competition for left-back positions among players like Nico O'Reilly and Lewis Hall.

Jagielka praised O'Reilly's attacking abilities but warned about his defensive weaknesses. Rooney concluded that tournament experience, such as that of Luke Shaw, is crucial for balancing the squad.