James Hill Earns First England Call-Up for Croatia Clash

Bournemouth defender James Hill has been called up to the senior England squad for the first time, providing cover as the team prepares for their upcoming UEFA Nations League fixture against Croatia at Wembley this Thursday. As of November 10, 2026, the 24-year-old centre-back joins the squad managed by Thomas Tuchel following an injury to Arsenal defender Ezri Konsa.

Why it is trending now

The call-up follows an injury setback for Ezri Konsa, who sustained a knee issue during Arsenal's Champions League victory against Slavia Prague. Although Konsa subsequently played in Arsenal's win over Hull, medical assessments ruled him out of contention for the England match against Croatia. Hill, who has been a consistent performer for Bournemouth, was selected to bolster the defensive options available to Tuchel.

Key facts

• James Hill has featured in every minute of Bournemouth's Premier League season and their Europa League campaign, according to BBC Sport.
• Ezri Konsa is following a specific training programme away from the main group and may be available for England's match against Spain on Sunday, as reported by the London Evening Standard.
• Hill joined Bournemouth from Fleetwood Town in January 2022 for an undisclosed fee.
• Bournemouth currently sit seventh in the Premier League table, riding an eight-match winning streak across all competitions.

Why this is trending in United Kingdom

The interest in James Hill stems from his unexpected elevation to the senior national team, a significant milestone for the Bournemouth defender. Fans are tracking the squad changes closely as England navigates its Nations League group stage, with supporters particularly interested in whether Konsa will recover in time for the fixture against Spain.

Background and context

James Hill has previously represented England at the Under-20 and Under-21 levels. His breakthrough at the club level came last season as Bournemouth achieved a sixth-place finish, their highest in the top flight. The current England squad is managing several defensive absences, including Marc Guehi, who withdrew from the camp with a hip injury.

What happens next

England will face Croatia at Wembley this Thursday. Following that match, the team is scheduled to travel to Madrid to play Spain on Sunday. Ezri Konsa remains under assessment, with expectations that he may return to full training later this week to challenge for a place in the squad for the Spain fixture.