England take on Spain with three Blues in the squad

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·26 September 2026

England take on Spain with three Blues in the squad

With Anthony Gordon’s prescient wisdom that controlling games is not in the English “DNA”, saying the Three Lions could win major tournaments if only they stop “trying to replicate Spain” ringing in their ears, England take on the mighty Iberians at Wembley on Saturday evening.

And there are no less than three Everton players in the rejigged squad since James Garner was called up to join Jordan Pickford and Jarrad Branthwaite after a slew of Thomas Tuchel’s preferred players decided the honour of playing for England wasn’t for them:

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Cole Palmer “misses too many opportunities” to play for England after the Chelsea forward pulled out of the latest squad, says manager Thomas Tuchel… “For sure. It is a missed opportunity. He misses too many opportunities. I don’t blame him for it. It is just a fact. “He misses way too many camps with injuries, and I only want to rely on what I witness and see within in my team, and for that you have to be in camp. “And if you’re not in camp, there is a next level to impress that you cannot achieve because you can only do it when you are actually on the pitch with me. So yes, it is a missed opportunity.”

This will be England’s first competitive game since they came agonisingly close to playing Spain in the 2026 World Cup Final (if like me you’ve forgotten the virtually pointless 3rd-place playoff that ensued).

Tonight could be an interesting game pitting two of the best national teams in the world against each other. Or could be yet another international borefest. Join us here and watch on ITV 1 tonight, kick-off is at 7:45 pm BST.