Branthwaite recalled to England squad and hopes injury nightmare is finally over

Branthwaite's long road back to the Three Lions

Jarrad Branthwaite hopes he is back in the England setup for good after missing Euro 2024 and the 2026 World Cup, having earned a recall to the Three Lions' squad.

The 24-year-old has been named in Thomas Tuchel's group for Nations League fixtures against Spain, Czechia – who England face both home and away – and Croatia. He has been an ever-present for Everton so far this season, helping the Toffees keep three clean sheets in five games and concede the joint-fewest goals in the Premier League (three, alongside Leeds United).

A frustrated wait for senior recognition

Branthwaite won his only senior England cap to date in June 2024, when he was named in Gareth Southgate's preliminary Euro 2024 squad and appeared in a friendly against Bosnia-Herzegovina, only to miss out on the final party. He also missed this summer's World Cup after an injury-hit 2025-26 season, in which he was restricted to just 10 Premier League appearances and seven starts.

But, having visited a specialist in Germany in a bid to combat his persistent hamstring issues during the off-season, Branthwaite hopes he can now challenge Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa for an England starting spot.

"Being out for such a long time with injury didn't help, missing three or four of the camps and missing a lot of football," Branthwaite said of his England struggles.

"My aim is to stay injury-free and play as many games as I can and keep giving myself the best possible chance to be in the squad. I've not spoken to him [Tuchel] recently. When we get there, we'll have a chat. I can't wait to join up with the squad and enjoy the couple of weeks."

"It is a proud moment. In the last season or so, it has been a target of mine when I've been out to get back playing and give myself the best possible chance of being in and around the England squad after missing a length of time. The season has started well individually and as a team and that has definitely helped. I believe I am good enough to be in the England squad, so hopefully I can show that."

Competition in the centre of defence

Branthwaite, Guehi, Konsa, Jarell Quansah and Trevoh Chalobah are the centre-backs in England's group for this international break, with their Nations League opener against world champions Spain taking place at Wembley on Saturday.

England have won 10 of their last 11 competitive home matches (L1), including each of their last five without conceding. Only once before have the Three Lions won six competitive home fixtures to nil, doing so between March 2015 and March 2017. However, Spain are unbeaten in each of their last 38 matches in all competitions (W29 D9), the longest ever streak by a European nation.