England are expected to name a strong side for their winner-takes-all Nations League meeting with world champions Spain in Madrid on Sunday, according to the Evening Standard.
Thomas Tuchel’s team secured a 2-1 victory over Croatia at Wembley and now travel to Spain knowing that victory would guarantee top spot in their Nations League group. The group winners are also likely to receive an easier opponent in the quarter-finals in March.
Tuchel is expected to retain several of England’s key players, including captain Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Anthony Gordon.
Bellingham would have been suspended for the Spain match had he been shown a yellow card against Croatia, but he avoided a booking in that game and remains available.
There could be changes in defence. Arsenal centre-back Ngoyo and Internazionale wing-back Spence missed the Croatia match, but both can feature in Madrid if they return to full training the night before the fixture.
Tuchel must also decide who starts on the right side of England’s attack. Chelsea’s Morgan Rogers scored against Croatia and could keep his place, although Liverpool youngster Rio Ngumoha is another option and could make his senior international debut.
Jobe Bellingham, who plays for Borussia Dortmund, has received his first call-up to the senior England squad. He is the younger brother of Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham.
Should Jobe make his England debut against Spain while Jude also plays, it would be the first time two brothers have appeared together in an England match since Gary Neville and Phil Neville featured in the same game in February 2007.
There is also uncertainty over the goalkeeper. If Tuchel continues to regard Jordan Pickford’s place as not guaranteed, Leeds United’s James Trafford could be selected after Pickford played the full 90 minutes against Croatia.
Another possible alteration would see Quansah move from centre-back to right-back if Tuchel decides he offers greater defensive security than Alexander-Arnold.
The predicted England XI is Trafford; Quansah, Ngoyo, Burn, Lewis Hall; Rice, Elliot Anderson; Morgan Rogers, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.
The match is scheduled for 3:45am Beijing Time (CET) on 16 November 2026.
