𝑨𝒍𝒆𝒙𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓-𝑨𝒓𝒏𝒐𝒍𝒅, 𝑷𝒂𝒍𝒎𝒆𝒓 𝑩𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝑰𝒏 𝑭𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝑨𝒔 𝑬𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑵𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝑵𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝑳𝒆𝒂𝒈𝒖𝒆 𝑺𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒅

There's a familiar buzz around England's camp this week, and it's easy to see why.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is finally back. It's been well over a year since June 2025 since the former Liverpool man last pulled on an England shirt, and now, wearing Real Madrid colours, he's earned his way back into manager Thomas Tuchel's plans.

Then there's Cole Palmer, whose return feels like the bigger story. Not long ago, Palmer's absence from England's World Cup squad set off a storm of questions. Many wondered how a player of his talent could be left home while his teammates flew out to chase glory. He watched, like everyone else, as England battled all the way to the semi-finals before Argentina brought the run to an end. Now, he gets his shot to prove that snub wrong.

It's not just about the comebacks, though. There's genuine excitement building around some new names too. Rio Ngumoha, barely out of his teens, turned heads with a lively debut against New Zealand in June, and Tuchel clearly liked what he saw enough to call him back. Standing right beside him is Alex Scott, who's yet to win his first cap but has been quietly building his case after training alongside the senior squad in Florida before the World Cup.

Jarrad Branthwaite's story stands out too. A single England cap, earned back in June 2024, and then a long wait until now. Tuchel has finally given him the nod. Lewis Hall, Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin round out the list of players stepping back into the fold.

Of course, in football, one man's return often means another's exit. Phil Foden, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Adam Wharton have all been left out this time. And Tuchel has made the tough call to drop three players who represented England at the World Cup — Ollie Watkins, Ivan Toney, and Noni Madueke.

All told, 27 players will report for a three-week camp built around four Nations League matches arriving just nine weeks after England's World Cup dream ended in disappointment.

The full squad reads: goalkeepers Jordan Pickford, Jason Steele, and James Trafford; defenders Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jarrod Branthwaite, Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Guehi, Lewis Hall, Ezri Konsa, Tino Livramento, Nico O'Reilly, and Jarell Quansah; midfielders Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Kobbie Mainoo, Cole Palmer, Declan Rice, and Alex Scott; and forwards Harry Kane, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Eberechi Eze, Anthony Gordon, Rio Ngumoha, Marcus Rashford, Morgan Rogers, and Bukayo Saka.

The Evolution Of Igbo Highlife Music: An Exclusive Interview With Professor Onye Egwu

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NANS Threatens to Shut Down MTN Over Attacks on Nigerians in South Africa

T he National Association of Nigerian Students has issued a final warning to South Africa over violent attacks on Nigerians, saying major businesses like MTN could be forced out of Nigeria, Sahara Reporters reported. NANS sent a letter to South African High Commissioner Thamsanga Dennis Mseleku in Abuja, expressing anger at what it called continuous and brutal xenophobic violence against Nigerians in South Africa. The letter, signed by NANS President Comrade Atiku Isah, said the association speaks for over 40 million Nigerian students. Isah said the group would no longer tolerate what he called the systematic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa. NANS said it was unacceptable for South Africans to attack other Africans. The group noted Nigeria’s key role in ending Apartheid, stating that Nigeria provided financial and diplomatic backing and made huge sacrifices for South Africa’s freedom. The association said the current violence go...

Unveiling '3 Cold Dishes': A Gripping Tale of Survival, Revenge, and Justice

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SEPTEMBER TOP SCOOPS IN NIGERIA

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16 Nigerian Directors Behind Afrobeats’ Global Visual Identity

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Peter Okoye Signs Multi-Million Dollar Deal, Confirms New Single Release Date

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The IMOIFF Creatives & Film Festival Sets to Hold 2026 Edition with "Local 2 Global" Theme

BY- EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA BENJAMIN T he Imo International Film Festival (IMIFF) is set to make a significant impact on the global film scene with its 2026 edition, themed "Local 2 Global." Scheduled to take place from November 27 to 29, 2026, in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria, the festival is sponsored by Julob Entertainment, with professional roots connected to the British Council’s Film Lab Africa and local creative partners like Clifford and Stanford Igbo. In a brief chat, Izuchukwu Okafor , Founder of IMOIFF, stated that the festival aims to bridge the gap between local filmmakers and international distribution platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, and Apple TV. The festival will feature a diverse range of award categories, including Best Feature Film, Best Short Film (Narrative/International), Best Documentary, Best Student Film, Best Animation, and Best Experimental Film, among others. Technical awards for Best Screenplay, Best Actor, and Best Actress will also be high-profile h...

April Top Scoops In Nigeria

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