Alexander-Arnold set for rare England start against Czechia
Trent Alexander-Arnold is set for a rare start as Czechia England clash in Nations League action in Prague, marking his first Three Lions start in nearly two years and first under Thomas Tuchel after Saturday's home 3-2 defeat by Spain. Kick-off is 19:45 BST at Fortuna Arena, with both sides still on nil points in Group A3 after opening losses.
According to BBC Sport, Alexander-Arnold last started for England against Finland in October 2024 under interim coach Lee Carsley, when he played at left back. The Guardian reports this is his first start under Tuchel, after only a substitute appearance against Andorra.
Key Takeaways
- Alexander-Arnold earns his first England start in nearly two years against Czechia in Prague.
- England make four changes after the 3-2 Nations League loss to world champions Spain at Wembley.
- Trevoh Chalobah, Lewis Hall and Morgan Rogers also come into the XI; Jude Bellingham drops to the bench.
- Both Czechia and England sit on zero points in Nations League Group A3.
- Tuchel says the fixture is not a "must win yet," but a result would help knockout-stage hopes.
Why does Alexander-Arnold's Czechia England start matter?
Alexander-Arnold's selection is rare by recent standards and reshapes England's back line. BBC reporter Alex Howell notes it is his first start for nearly two years, ending a long wait for a place from the first whistle.
The Guardian's David Hytner says that, for better or worse, his inclusion will make England a different team. After limited minutes under Tuchel, the Prague game is a chance to rebuild trust from the opening whistle.
Fans tracking celebrity breaking news will see the pick as a statement: Tuchel is willing to reset parts of a defence that has struggled for clean sheets this year.
Who starts for England against Czechia?
England line up in a 4-2-3-1: James Trafford; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Guehi, Lewis Hall; Elliot Anderson, Myles Lewis-Skelly; Bukayo Saka, Morgan Rogers, Anthony Gordon; Harry Kane.
There are four changes from Saturday. Alexander-Arnold, Chalobah, Hall and Rogers replace Jarell Quansah, Ezri Konsa, Nico O'Reilly and Jude Bellingham. O'Reilly is out injured; Hall takes his place. Bellingham is among the substitutes alongside Jordan Pickford and Rio Ngumoha.
Czechia's 4-3-3 is listed as Kovar; Chaloupek, Hranac, Krejci, Slama; Cerv, Sulc, Sadilek; Radosta, Hlosek, Karabec. Turkish referee Umut Meler takes charge.
What is at stake in Nations League Group A3?
England lost 3-2 to Spain at Wembley, with Harry Kane missing a second-half penalty in a high-scoring opener. Czechia also have nil points after a 2-1 home defeat by Croatia on Saturday.
Tuchel told reporters the Czech Republic game is not a "must win yet," but BBC coverage notes England will need a result if they aim for the Nations League knockout stage in March. The top two in the six-match group advance to the quarter-finals; the bottom two risk a League B relegation fight in 2027.
England visit Croatia on 3 October, host Czechia at Wembley on 6 October, then face Croatia and Spain again in November. A strong night in Prague would steady the mood after the Spain reverse and give Alexander-Arnold a platform in Tuchel's plans.