England omit Myles Lewis-Skelly from Serbia squad despite starting against Andorra

England left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly was omitted from the squad named to face Serbia in Belgrade despite starting and playing the full 90 minutes in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Andorra, manager Thomas Tuchel confirmed on Tuesday. The 18-year-old’s exclusion came as Tuchel trimmed a 24-player list down to the 23 permitted under UEFA rules; the Football Association and Tuchel did not disclose a reason for the decision.

Lewis-Skelly had been expected to figure in what is widely regarded as one of European football’s most hostile away venues, the Rajko Mitić Stadium, where Serbia will host England. The stadium will not be at full capacity after FIFA ordered 15% of the ground closed for racist chanting at a previous match involving Serbia and Andorra.

Tuchel said he was looking forward to the occasion and stressed the challenge Serbia will pose. "The fans, the occasion and opponent will bring out the best from us and I'm looking forward to it," he said. "Serbia are so talented and determined. That's the beauty of it and if you want to go to a World Cup and to play for the national team, experiencing this is the beauty."

England sit atop Group I with four wins from four qualifying matches and can move significantly closer to qualification for the 2026 World Cup with a victory in Belgrade. Serbia, who rely on forwards Aleksandar Mitrović and Dušan Vlahović, are regarded as England’s principal challengers in the section.

Lewis-Skelly enjoyed a breakthrough season with Arsenal last year but has seen limited club minutes this campaign; he has clocked 44 minutes across the first three Premier League matches after manager Mikel Arteta has favoured Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori at full-back. Arsenal and the Football Association have not commented on whether the omission is related to injury, and Tuchel did not provide further detail beyond confirming the squad reduction.

The England manager, who has faced scrutiny for a series of performances described by critics as below expectations, noted that the match in Belgrade is a different test to recent fixtures. Thousands of supporters left Villa Park early during the Andorra game, prompting questions about the nature of England’s displays; Tuchel said the Serbia match will be "one of these nights" similar to Champions League atmospheres and a stronger barometer of progress.

Tuchel must now finalise a 23-player matchday squad without Lewis-Skelly. With the Arsenal full-back unavailable, full-back options in the wider group include Tino Livramento and Djed Spence among others who could be selected for the starting XI or as cover off the bench.

The political and disciplinary context surrounding the Serbia fixture remains notable: the partial closure of the Rajko Mitić was imposed after fans chanted racist abuse in a prior match, a decision meant to limit attendance but not to eliminate the high-pressure environment. England will travel to Belgrade aiming to consolidate their qualifying campaign, while Serbia will seek to reduce the gap at the top of the group and keep their World Cup hopes alive.

Neither the Football Association nor Arsenal offered further comment by the time of the squad announcement. England will provide a formal team sheet ahead of kick-off in accordance with UEFA procedures.