The club football season is winding down, and all eyes are turning to the FIFA World Cup, which kicks off in less than a month. National teams worldwide are starting to release their preliminary squad lists, building the excitement for the biggest tournament in sports.

This week, England manager Thomas Tuchel unveiled his preliminary squad for the World Cup, and as expected, Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham earned his spot. But the real surprise came with the inclusion of another Madrid star: Trent Alexander-Arnold.

According to reports, Alexander-Arnold's return to the Three Lions' roster has caught many fans off guard, especially since he wasn't part of Tuchel's plans during recent international breaks. In fact, he didn't even make the squad for England's March friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, leaving many to believe he might miss the World Cup entirely with several defenders ahead of him in the pecking order.

However, injuries to Newcastle United's Tino Livramento and Arsenal's Ben White have opened the door for Alexander-Arnold to potentially book his ticket to the tournament. While this is a promising development, it doesn't guarantee him a spot in the final 26-man squad or a starting role—Reece James still holds the edge in Tuchel's defensive hierarchy.

The current provisional list boasts 55 players, but that will be trimmed to 26 when Tuchel announces the final squad on May 22. Whether Alexander-Arnold survives the cut remains to be seen.

So far this season, the Real Madrid defender has made just 13 starts in La Liga, contributing four assists. Fitness issues have limited his playing time, but he's managed to stay healthy recently and has been growing into the manager's plans. With the World Cup on the horizon, this could be his chance to shine on the global stage.