Not One But Two Bellinghams: England Ready to Take On Spain and Croatia in UEFA Nations League

LONDON, England, November 6, 2026: England could witness a new chapter in the Bellingham family’s remarkable soccer story after Thomas Tuchel named Jude Bellingham and his younger brother Jobe in the same senior national-team squad for the first time. The 25-player selection, announced on Friday, November 6, brings Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jobe into the senior setup alongside Real Madrid star Jude ahead of two decisive UEFA Nations League fixtures. England host Croatia at Wembley on November 12 before traveling to Madrid to face reigning world champions Spain on November 15, with a place in the quarterfinals and the possibility of finishing first in Group A3 still at stake.

But the arrival of a second Bellingham is only one part of Tuchel’s selection story. Fulham midfielder Josh King has also earned his maiden senior call-up, while Chelsea playmaker Cole Palmer remains absent despite registering five goals and three assists in 11 appearances this season. Phil Foden and Kobbie Mainoo have also been overlooked, while Declan Rice, Djed Spence and Ben White return to strengthen England’s options. Captain Harry Kane could make history with his 126th international appearance, surpassing Peter Shilton’s men’s England record. With Spain three points ahead and Croatia still mathematically capable of challenging England’s qualification position, Tuchel faces a difficult balancing act between rewarding emerging players, maintaining established partnerships and securing the results England need.

Two Bellinghams, One England Squad: Why Jobe’s First Call-Up Matters

Jude Bellingham has long been one of England’s most important midfielders. His younger brother, Jobe, has spent years developing his own career while inevitably being compared with one of soccer’s most recognizable young stars.

Now both brothers have an opportunity to represent their country during the same international window.

TSE VISUAL BRIEFING

Story at a glance

01

Two Bellinghams, One England Squad: Why Jobe’s First Call-Up Matters

Jude Bellingham has long been one of England’s most important midfielders. His younger brother, Jobe, has spent years developing his own career while inevitably being compared with one of soccer’s most recognizable young stars.

02

Why Thomas Tuchel Selected Jobe Bellingham and Josh King

Both newcomers arrive from England’s under-21 setup, but their routes into the senior squad have been different.

03

Cole Palmer Left Out: Why England’s Selection Debate Has Become Complicated

While Jobe and King celebrate their opportunities, Cole Palmer faces another frustrating international window.

04

Phil Foden and Kobbie Mainoo Also Miss Out as Tuchel Reshapes the Squad

Palmer is not the only recognizable name absent from England’s November selection.

05

Harry Kane Could Break England’s All-Time Appearance Record

The Bellingham brothers may dominate the headlines, but Harry Kane has an opportunity to achieve a landmark that has stood for decades.

Tuchel’s decision to include Jobe is a significant milestone for the Borussia Dortmund midfielder, who has progressed through England’s youth setup and impressed during the early stages of the 2026-27 club season.

The 21-year-old joined Dortmund from Sunderland in 2025, following a career path that had already brought Jude through the German club before his move to Real Madrid.

The similarities are impossible to ignore, but the brothers should not be evaluated as interchangeable players.

Jude has developed into a midfielder capable of influencing games through attacking movement, ball carrying and decisive contributions around the penalty area. Jobe is still establishing how his particular strengths will translate to elite senior international soccer.

His inclusion is a reward for development, not a guarantee that he will immediately play alongside his brother.

That distinction matters because the excitement surrounding the family storyline could easily overshadow the demands of the two upcoming fixtures.

England are not assembling a ceremonial lineup. They are preparing for Croatia and Spain, two opponents capable of testing every weakness in Tuchel’s system.

The opportunity is nevertheless historic in a personal sense. If Jobe earns his first senior appearance, the Bellingham brothers will both have represented England at the highest level. If they take the field together, it would create an even more memorable family milestone.

For Jude, the November camp represents a return to the international spotlight following an eventful 2026.

His importance was evident during England’s World Cup quarterfinal against Norway, when he scored twice in a demanding victory. The Sports Encounter’s report on Bellingham’s decisive performance against Norway examined how the Real Madrid midfielder rescued his team during one of its most difficult knockout matches.

Jobe now has the chance to learn from that experience at close quarters.

Why Thomas Tuchel Selected Jobe Bellingham and Josh King

Both newcomers arrive from England’s under-21 setup, but their routes into the senior squad have been different.

Jobe’s selection follows his club performances with Borussia Dortmund, where he has gained experience in a demanding Bundesliga environment.

His progress provides England with another midfielder capable of competing for a place in a squad already containing Jude, Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson and James Garner.

Josh King, meanwhile, has earned his first formal senior call-up after making an impression with Fulham.

King is not entirely unfamiliar with Tuchel’s methods. He participated in England’s pre-World Cup training camp in Florida earlier this year, giving him an introduction to the senior coaching environment before his official selection.

That experience could help him adapt more quickly to the demands of the November camp.

Neither player should be assessed solely by whether he starts against Croatia or Spain. International training sessions provide an opportunity to understand tactical expectations, build relationships with senior teammates and demonstrate readiness for future selections.

The selections also provide evidence that Tuchel is prepared to evaluate players outside the most established international names.

For England to remain competitive beyond its current generation, that process must continue even when important matches are approaching.

Cole Palmer Left Out: Why England’s Selection Debate Has Become Complicated

While Jobe and King celebrate their opportunities, Cole Palmer faces another frustrating international window.

The Chelsea attacker has produced five goals and three assists in 11 appearances this season, a useful attacking return that would normally strengthen a player’s case for inclusion.

However, Tuchel has again omitted him from the England squad.

The decision follows Palmer’s withdrawal from the previous international camp because of a muscle-related fitness issue. Tuchel has previously expressed concern about how frequently the player has been unavailable for England.

That history is important because Palmer’s omission should not automatically be interpreted as a judgment that his club performances are inadequate.

The selection appears connected to a wider assessment of fitness, availability and international continuity.

Medical checks were reportedly undertaken before the squad announcement, but England have not presented the omission as a formal disciplinary measure.

Palmer’s situation also raises a legitimate sporting question.

How should a national-team coach balance excellent club performances against the need for repeated participation in international training camps?

Club success is an important consideration, but coaches also need players to understand collective pressing structures, tactical adjustments and positioning within an established national-team system.

Those demands are particularly significant against opponents such as Spain.

For a playmaker with Palmer’s ability, continued absence means losing opportunities to demonstrate how he fits alongside Kane, Jude Bellingham and England’s other attacking players.

At the same time, Tuchel’s approach should remain performance-based. A talented player should have a realistic route back once his fitness and availability justify another selection.

Palmer has previously shown how decisive he can be for Chelsea. TSE’s report on Chelsea’s 3-2 victory over Fulham explored his contribution in a demanding Premier League match.

His international future remains a significant subplot, but there is no verified announcement that Tuchel has permanently excluded him from England’s plans.

Phil Foden and Kobbie Mainoo Also Miss Out as Tuchel Reshapes the Squad

Palmer is not the only recognizable name absent from England’s November selection.

Manchester City’s Phil Foden and Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo have also been left out.

Foden remains outside Tuchel’s preferred group, while Mainoo’s recent international involvement has also been limited.

The departures and returns create a revealing picture of England’s current selection process.

One of the more interesting choices is Ben White.

The Arsenal defender returns to England’s squad for the first time since March, giving Tuchel another experienced option across the defensive line.

Rice’s return is also valuable. The Arsenal midfielder provides physical presence, tactical discipline and experience in major international fixtures.

His inclusion could help England maintain balance while introducing less experienced players elsewhere.

Tuchel’s challenge is to reward players whose current performances justify selection without destabilizing the structure that produced England’s recent victories.

Harry Kane Could Break England’s All-Time Appearance Record

The Bellingham brothers may dominate the headlines, but Harry Kane has an opportunity to achieve a landmark that has stood for decades.

Kane equaled Peter Shilton’s England men’s appearance record of 125 caps during the previous international window.

If selected against Croatia or Spain, he will move to 126 appearances and become the most-capped player in the history of England’s senior men’s team.

That achievement would further strengthen an already remarkable international career.

Kane has also scored 91 goals for England, extending his position as the national team’s record goalscorer.

His performances have remained influential beyond the penalty area. Under Tuchel, Kane’s movement, distribution and ability to connect midfield with attack have helped England create opportunities against different defensive systems.

He is therefore important not merely because of his finishing record, but because he provides a tactical reference point for England’s attacking players.

For Jude Bellingham and other midfielders, Kane’s movement can create spaces to exploit. For wide attackers, his ability to drop into deeper areas can open channels behind opposing defenders.

The captain also enters this international window after winning the 2026 Ballon d’Or. TSE’s analysis of Kane’s Ballon d’Or triumph examined the achievements that made him the award’s winner.

England have an opportunity to celebrate a historic individual milestone, but Kane will be focused on helping the team secure its Nations League objectives.

Breaking Shilton’s record is conditional on appearing in at least one of the upcoming matches. It has not yet happened.

England’s Complete 25-Man Squad for Croatia and Spain

The Football Association has confirmed the following 25 players for the November 2026 international window.

Source: England Football’s official November 6 squad announcement. Club affiliations reflect the federation’s published list.

The group contains a mixture of established international players and footballers who have not yet appeared for the senior team.

It is also notable that Tuchel has selected several players capable of covering different tactical roles.

That flexibility may become particularly important against Spain, whose possession-based approach demands disciplined positioning and quick defensive transitions.

England’s Nations League Results Explain Their Position Behind Spain

England began their UEFA Nations League campaign with a 3-2 defeat to Spain at Wembley on September 26.

The loss was significant because England surrendered a lead and allowed Spain to take early control of Group A3.

TSE’s coverage of the Wembley defeat explained how Spain recovered to win and why the result immediately complicated England’s group campaign.

Tuchel’s side responded impressively.

England won 2-0 away to Czechia on September 29 before demolishing Croatia 7-0 on October 3.

The victory in Croatia was particularly emphatic. It demonstrated the attacking threat England can produce when its forward players operate with confidence and collective understanding.

England subsequently defeated Czechia 3-0 at Wembley on October 6, with Kane scoring twice.

Source: UEFA official Nations League results. Points are calculated from the listed results.

England have scored 14 goals and conceded three across four group matches.

Their goal difference of plus 11 is superior to Spain’s plus seven, although the world champions remain three points ahead.

The recovery following the opening defeat shows that England have developed momentum.

TSE’s September 29 Nations League analysis documented the early shift in the group, while our October 6 roundup examined Kane’s latest international scoring contribution and Spain’s progress.

Those developments set the stage for November’s final two fixtures.

Updated UEFA Nations League Group A3 Standings

Spain lead the group after four consecutive victories, while England hold second place with three wins and one defeat.

Source: UEFA’s official Group A3 standings, as of November 6, 2026.

The top two teams qualify for the Nations League quarterfinals.

Spain have already secured their place, while England can confirm theirs by avoiding defeat against Croatia.

A victory over Croatia would also keep England’s chances of finishing first alive, depending on Spain’s result against Czechia.

These circumstances explain why Tuchel cannot simply treat November as an opportunity to introduce new players without regard for the results.

England vs Croatia: Can Tuchel Secure Quarterfinal Qualification at Wembley?

England’s first assignment is a home match against Croatia on Thursday, November 12.

The previous encounter between the teams ended in a remarkable 7-0 victory for England, making the Three Lions overwhelming favorites on recent head-to-head form.

However, international soccer rarely rewards complacency.

Croatia have three points and require a substantial turnaround to challenge England’s second-place position.

England need only avoid defeat to secure their quarterfinal place.

That gives Tuchel a clear immediate objective: take the uncertainty out of qualification before the final trip to Spain.

It also raises an interesting selection question about Jobe Bellingham.

If England take control of the match, the coach may have an opportunity to introduce the Dortmund midfielder in a less demanding situation than the confrontation with Spain.

But a debut should not be assumed.

Tuchel may instead prioritize experience and established combinations, particularly if Croatia prove more competitive than they were in the previous meeting.

The teams also met during the 2026 World Cup, when England won 4-2 after a demanding contest. Our World Cup report on England’s 4-2 victory over Croatia highlights why Tuchel will recognize the danger of underestimating them.

Spain vs England: The World Champions Stand Between Tuchel and First Place

The final group match takes England to Madrid on Sunday, November 15.

Spain have won all four Nations League games and remain one of the most accomplished international sides in the world.

Their 2026 World Cup triumph reinforced a period of sustained success under Luis de la Fuente.

England’s challenge is to demonstrate that the progress shown since the Wembley defeat can produce a different result against the same opponent.

The Spanish squad includes established stars such as Pedri, Lamine Yamal, Martín Zubimendi and Mikel Oyarzabal.

De la Fuente has also introduced three first-time senior call-ups for November: Jacobo Ramón, Marc Roca and Álvaro Valles.

TSE’s analysis of Spain’s November squad explains why the coach has strengthened defensive, midfield and goalkeeper competition while maintaining the core of his championship-winning team.

The tactical question for England is how to control Spain’s midfield without sacrificing attacking ambition.

Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice could become particularly important if Tuchel wants to combine physical competitiveness with an ability to advance the ball through central areas.

Spain’s pressing structure can punish opponents who lose possession in dangerous positions, so England will need precision in their buildup.

At the other end, Kane’s ability to create space and connect attacking players could help England overcome the Spanish defensive line.

The match may also test England’s defensive discipline against Yamal and Spain’s other wide attackers.

Tuchel has a squad with considerable talent, but its ability to function as a collective against elite opponents will determine whether England can challenge Spain for first place.

What Results Do England Need to Finish First in Group A3?

With two matches remaining, England can still finish top of the group.

But the situation depends on both England’s results and Spain’s performance against Czechia.

England currently have nine points, three behind Spain.

These are conditional scenarios calculated from the current points and remaining fixtures. UEFA’s head-to-head and other tiebreaking rules apply if teams finish level.

The significance of goal difference should not be overstated.

England’s plus-11 record is better than Spain’s plus-seven, but UEFA’s ranking rules do not permit goal difference to be considered independently of the preceding head-to-head criteria.

Spain’s 3-2 victory at Wembley is therefore a significant part of the calculation if the teams finish level.

If England win both fixtures while Spain also beat Czechia, both countries would finish with 15 points, making the outcome of their direct encounters and the applicable tiebreakers decisive.

Tuchel must therefore balance two priorities: confirming qualification against Croatia and preparing to deliver a sufficiently strong result against Spain.

Could Jude and Jobe Bellingham Actually Play Together for England?

Yes. Both brothers are members of the same senior squad, and nothing prevents Tuchel from selecting them together.

However, the official announcement confirms only their selection for the international window, not their inclusion in either matchday lineup.

Jude is the more experienced international player, having already delivered decisive performances at major tournaments.

Jobe has not yet been tested in senior international soccer.

The coach must therefore consider how their respective qualities fit into the midfield rather than choosing them together solely because they are brothers.

A potential partnership could offer an interesting combination of movement, physical presence and technical ability.

But it would still require tactical coordination with Rice and the other midfielders.

England’s recent World Cup campaign demonstrated both the importance and the limitations of individual quality.

Jude’s contributions helped England overcome Norway, but the team ultimately lost its semifinal to Argentina. Our analysis of England’s semifinal defeat examined why the team’s strengths were not enough against the eventual runners-up.

England recovered to finish third, with Bukayo Saka producing a hat trick in the bronze-medal match against France. TSE’s report on the third-place playoff provides another example of the team’s attacking potential.

That background gives Tuchel a clear lesson.

England have exceptional individuals. The next stage of their development depends on constructing a team capable of using those talents consistently against the world’s strongest opposition.

The Bellingham brothers could become part of that future, but the relationship between their playing styles will be more important than the attention generated by their shared surname.

When Do England Play Croatia and Spain in November 2026?

England’s final two UEFA Nations League group matches are scheduled within four days of one another.

Source: UEFA’s official 2026-27 Nations League fixture list.

The narrow interval between matches increases the importance of squad depth.

Tuchel may need to manage workload, assess physical recovery and decide whether introducing less experienced players would strengthen or weaken the team’s overall performance.

The answers will depend on the Croatia result and the condition of players ahead of the Spain match.

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Frequently Asked Questions About England’s November 2026 Squad

Are Jude and Jobe Bellingham both in England’s squad?

Yes. Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid and his younger brother Jobe Bellingham of Borussia Dortmund have both been selected for England’s November 2026 Nations League matches.

Has Jobe Bellingham played for England’s senior team?

As of November 6, 2026, Jobe has received his first senior call-up but has not yet made his senior international debut.

Why is Cole Palmer missing from England’s squad?

Palmer has been omitted after previous fitness-related absences and concerns over his availability for international duty. The omission has not been announced as a disciplinary punishment.

Who else received a first England call-up?

Fulham midfielder Josh King has also been selected for the senior squad for the first time.

Which players have returned to England’s squad?

Declan Rice, Djed Spence and Ben White are among the returning players for November.

Can Harry Kane break England’s appearance record?

Yes. Kane has equaled Peter Shilton’s men’s England record of 125 appearances. One more appearance would give him the outright record.

When do England play Croatia?

England host Croatia at Wembley Stadium on Thursday, November 12, 2026, with kickoff scheduled for 7:45 p.m. GMT.

When do England play Spain?

England visit Spain at the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid on Sunday, November 15, 2026, at 8:45 p.m. CET.

Where are England in the Nations League standings?

England are second in Group A3 with nine points from four matches, three behind Spain. They have a goal difference of plus 11.

What does England need to qualify for the quarterfinals?

England will secure qualification by avoiding defeat against Croatia. If they lose, qualification will depend on the remaining group results and applicable tiebreakers.

Final Verdict: Two Bellinghams Bring Excitement, but Tuchel’s Biggest Challenge Is Still Spain

England’s November squad creates a compelling storyline through the selection of Jude and Jobe Bellingham.

The possibility of the brothers sharing a senior international field is significant for their family and intriguing for supporters.

But the squad announcement also reveals the competitive decisions Tuchel must make.

Jobe and Josh King represent the next generation seeking opportunities at the highest level. Palmer’s omission illustrates how fitness and international availability can complicate the selection of even an outstanding attacking player.

Rice, Spence and White provide valuable experience, while Kane stands one appearance away from an extraordinary national record.

Those individual stories are important, but England’s immediate objectives remain collective.

The first is to secure a Nations League quarterfinal place against Croatia.

The second is to challenge Spain’s leadership of Group A3 and demonstrate that England have developed sufficiently since the defeat at Wembley.

Tuchel has an opportunity to combine experience with emerging talent, but the outcome will depend on how successfully the players function together.

For the Bellingham brothers, the international window may mark the beginning of a remarkable new partnership.

For England, it could determine whether the final months of 2026 finish with qualification secured and momentum restored before the Nations League knockout stages.

Two Bellinghams may provide the headline. Beating Croatia and challenging Spain will determine whether England can provide the performance to match it.