With the weeks and months passing as quickly as days, before we know it, we'll be at the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup next summer. Representing your country at a World Cup is one of the biggest honors a player can have, and for a club like Real Madrid, where so many of the top players in the world play, a number of the club's players are called up for international duty.
And with that being said, the latest international break is upon us. The time where for two weeks, club football takes a back seat to players representing the countries either in World Cup qualifiers or friendly matches to prepare for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, and as usual, a number of Real Madrid's stars have been called up by their national teams.
Just this international break alone Real Madrid had 11 players called up, players like Vini Jr, Jude Bellingham, and Kylian Mbappé are all off to represent their countries as they take the last steps towards qualifying for the World Cup next summer.
As for the rest of the squad who didn't get called up, they'll stay in Madrid for training sessions to keep their form up and get back to full fitness if they're dealing with an injury, One Real Madrid player who didn't get called up is Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The Englishman was a regular under Gareth Southgate but seems to be losing his place under new manager Thomas Tuchel, and the manager now has a major question to answer regarding the star and his place ahead of the World Cup.
Thomas Tuchel forced into answering uncomfortable Trent Alexander-Arnold question
We all know the level and skill of Trent Alexander-Arnold, but his so far underwhelming start to life at Real Madrid could inadvertently cost him a place in England's 2026 World Cup squad. Trent wasn't called up by Thomas Tuchel this international break, and also missed out on the international break in October as well.
Given Trent is just coming back from an injury, it does make sense as to why Tuchel didn't call up the full-back, but at the same time, it could be a worrying sign for him for the future. The Englishman has featured briefly in Real's last two matches, as he is back from injury and could use these international games to return to full match fitness, but Thomas Tuchel seems to have a different thought process.
Given it is still somewhat early in the season, Trent's form will surely pick up as he is expected to slot back in as Real's starting right-back once club football resumes, but whether or not he will be England's starting right-back in the United States next summer remains a big question for Thomas Tuchel to answer.