LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 8, 2026: Liverpool's substitute Rio Ngumoha during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco FC at Anfield. Monaco won 3-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 8, 2026: Liverpool's substitute Rio Ngumoha during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco FC at Anfield. Monaco won 3-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Rio Ngumoha will make his competitive debut for England in the international break, as part of Thomas Tuchel’s squad for four UEFA Nations League ties.
Ngumoha is the only Liverpool player in Tuchel’s selection for the clashes with Spain (Sep 26), Czechia (Sep 29), Croatia (Oct 3) and Czechia again (Oct 6) coming up.
It should bring his first competitive outing for the Three Lions with a three-week international break bringing unique challenges for the squad.
Tuchel will be required to rotate throughout the games and Ngumoha will be one of his principle wide options – having boosted his chances as he gains exposure on both wings for Liverpool.
His debut for England came in a 1-0 friendly win over New Zealand while at the pre-World Cup camp in Miami in July.
England's Rio Ngumoha during the international friendly match at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Picture date: Saturday June 6, 2026.
England's Rio Ngumoha during the international friendly match at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Picture date: Saturday June 6, 2026.
Ngumoha came off the bench at half-time and earned the Man of the Match prize for his dazzling performance on the right flank.
He was not part of the England squad for the tournament proper but he remained firmly in Tuchel’s plans, with many of the belief that the 18-year-old should have been kept as a wildcard option.
Following a change of head coach at Liverpool, Ngumoha has seen an increase in game time already with three starts in five appearances so far, only sitting out one as an unused substitute.
The teenager was influential from the right-hand side in Tuesday’s 3-1 win over Tottenham in the Carabao Cup, playing a key role in Alexis Mac Allister’s opener.
Trent Alexander-Arnold back after over a year away
LONDON, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 10, 2024: England's Anthony Gordon (L) and Trent Alexander-Arnold line-up before the UEFA Nations League League B Group B2 game between England and Finland at Wembley Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LONDON, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 10, 2024: England's Anthony Gordon (L) and Trent Alexander-Arnold line-up before the UEFA Nations League League B Group B2 game between England and Finland at Wembley Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott is among those also in line for a competitive debut, having been cut from the wider training group before the World Cup along with Ngumoha.
Trent Alexander-Arnold returns to the squad for the first time since leaving Liverpool, with the Real Madrid right-back’s last involvement coming as an unused substitute in the 3-1 friendly loss to Senegal in June 2025.
He has found himself in a battle for the starting spot under Jose Mourinho this season, with summer signing Denzel Dumfries having played more minutes so far.
England squad for September & October internationals
LONDON, ENGLAND - Tuesday, March 31, 2026: England's head coach Thomas Tuchel before an International Friendly match between England and Japan at Wembley Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LONDON, ENGLAND - Tuesday, March 31, 2026: England's head coach Thomas Tuchel before an International Friendly match between England and Japan at Wembley Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Goalkeepers: Pickford, Trafford, Steele
Defenders: Guehi, Konsa, Quansah, Chalobah, Branthwaite, Alexander-Arnold, Livramento, Hall, O’Reilly
Midfielders: Bellingham, Anderson, Rice, Palmer, Scott, Mainoo, Lewis-Skelly
Forwards: Kane, Saka, Gordon, Rogers, Eze, Ngumoha, Rashford, Calvert-Lewin
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 15, 2026: Liverpool's Alexander Isak on the bench before the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
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NORWICH, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 14, 2021: Liverpool's Roberto Firmino (R) celebrates with team-mate Mohamed Salah after scoring the second goal during the FA Premier League match between Norwich City FC and Liverpool FC at Carrow Road. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
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ISTANBUL, TURKEY - Wednesday, August 14, 2019: Liverpool's James Milner bites his winners' medal as he celebrates after winning the Super Cup during the UEFA Super Cup match between Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC at Besiktas Park. Liverpool won 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)