England vs Spain: Tuchel names strong XI for Nations League decider
England vs Spain: Tuchel names strong XI for Nations League

Thomas Tuchel is set to name a strong England lineup for Sunday's Nations League clash against world champions Spain, following Thursday's 2-1 victory over Croatia at Wembley. The winner of the match in Madrid will finish top of their Nations League group, likely securing an easier opponent for the quarter-finals in March.

Key players expected to start

Tuchel is expected to keep key men such as Anthony Gordon, Jude Bellingham and record-breaking captain Harry Kane in the starting lineup against Spain. Bellingham would have been suspended if booked against Croatia but avoided a yellow card on the night.

Arsenal centre-back Ezri Konsa and Inter Milan full-back Djed Spence missed the Croatia game but will be available in Spain, provided they have returned to full training on the eve of the game.

Selection decisions and debutants

Tuchel has a decision to make at right wing, where he will either stick with Chelsea's Morgan Rogers, a goalscorer on Thursday, or hand Liverpool teenager Rio Ngumoha his first start for his country.

Jobe Bellingham of Borussia Dortmund, brother of Real Madrid's Jude, is in the squad for the very first time at senior level. If he makes it onto the pitch for his England debut and his sibling also plays, it will mark the first time two brothers have featured in the same England game since Gary and Phil Neville in February 2007.

If Tuchel's insistence that there is competition for Jordan Pickford in goal is to be taken seriously, then Leeds United's James Trafford should be expected to start as goalkeeper after Pickford played the full match against Croatia. Jarell Quansah could shift across from centre-back to right-back if Tuchel views him as a safer option defensively than Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Predicted lineup and match details

Predicted England XI vs Spain (4-2-3-1): Trafford; Quansah, Konsa, Burn, Hall; Rice, Anderson; Rogers, Jude Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.

Injured: Guehi. The match kicks off at 7:45pm GMT on Sunday November 15, 2026, at the Estadio Metropolitano, and will be broadcast on ITV1.