Tuchel controversially left Real Madrid full-back Alexander-Arnold and Chelsea forward Palmer out of his squad for the tournament in North America. Both return for four Nations League fixtures during an extended international break following this weekend's club matches.
Alexander-Arnold, 27, won the most recent of his 34 caps as a substitute in a 1-0 win over Andorra in June 2025, and has made five appearances for Real Madrid this season, including three starts. Palmer, 24, last played for England in a 1-0 friendly defeat by Japan in March, and has scored four goals with two assists in six games for Chelsea this season.
"They had a good start to the season," Tuchel said, having again omitted Manchester City's Phil Foden.
"They never did something wrong. We just chose different players. So now it is a new competition. Some players, some positions, have more injuries.
"Some have less injuries. Cole has his starts that he always had but he has his numbers back — he has his assists back, he has decisive goals back — so that is why he is in the squad. I think he has a point to prove, and the same goes for Trent. He was never off the list. He was never non-selectable for us, and it is his chance to show, come to camp and be the best version of himself."
Tuchel confirmed he would use Alexander-Arnold as a right-back for England despite Real Madrid having deployed him in midfield during their Champions League win over Inter Milan this month.
"He had a good start in two positions for Real Madrid and he comes as a right-back for us," he said.
Asked about his trust in the defender, Tuchel added: "[He needs to] perform, that's just what it is. It is a competition and I understand the question because he was not with us at the World Cup. We trusted other players. I still stick with this decision and it is now time to fight for his place.
"He always said he is up for a fight, he always said he is up to fight for his place — especially for England — so it is on him to prove and he is more than welcome in camp. We have a long camp and I am sure he will show up."
The head coach made clear that selection alone would not be enough for either recalled player.
"It is one thing to be nominated, like with Cole, and getting your ticket back in the squad but it's another thing to perform for England," he said. "Cole needs to step up when he comes and he needs to show these kind of numbers to get his place, keep his shirt and justify the nomination."
England host World Cup winners Spain at Wembley on Saturday, 26 September, before travelling to the Czech Republic on 29 September and Croatia on 3 October, with the Czechs then visiting Wembley on 6 October.
Bournemouth's Alex Scott and Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha both return having featured in the pre-World Cup squad, while Leeds United's Dominic Calvert-Lewin earns a recall after three top-flight goals helped his club to third in the Premier League.
Newcastle United left-back Lewis Hall, Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite, Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly and Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele are also included. Dean Henderson, Jordan Henderson, Reece James, Djed Spence and John Stones all miss out through injury, while Foden, Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White, Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton and Manchester United's Harry Maguire are the other notable absentees.
England squad:
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Jason Steele (Brighton), James Trafford (Leeds United)
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Real Madrid), Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Trevoh Chalobah (Como), Marc Guehi (Manchester City), Lewis Hall (Newcastle United), Ezri Konsa (Arsenal), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City), Jarrell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen)
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Manchester City), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Alex Scott (Bournemouth)
Forwards: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds United), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Anthony Gordon (Barcelona), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Rio Ngumoha (Liverpool), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Morgan Rogers (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)