England vs Spain LIVE: Trafford starts and Alexander-Arnold on bench as Three Lions host world champions

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The Independent

·26 September 2026

England vs Spain LIVE: Trafford starts and Alexander-Arnold on bench as Three Lions host world champions

England host Spain at Wembley this evening as they kick off their Nations League campaign with a difficult clash against the world champions.

Thomas Tuchel’s side finished third in the World Cup this summer having been beaten in the semi-final stage by Argentina whilst Spain took the title having defeated the same opponent in the final. Questions were raised over the manner of England’s defeat to Argentina and Tuchel will be keen to show that his team have the ability to win against top tier opposition.

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Spain boss Luis de la Fuente has signed a contract to extend his spell as head coach until at least 2032, while the spotlight is on Tuchel to show he can impose his tactical impressions on the team.

The top two teams in a Nations League group progress to the quarter-finals and a victory over Spain would put England in the driving seat for the rest of their group stage campaign.