England’s World Cup preparations have suffered a major setback with Tino Livramento ruled out through injury.
The Newcastle United defender picked up a calf problem during training on Sunday.
The 23-year-old had already been struggling for full fitness after missing weeks with a thigh issue. His absence now forces a defensive reshuffle just days before the opening match.
Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah has been called up as his replacement in the squad. However, he will not join the team until after the Croatia fixture.
England are currently travelling between Kansas City and Dallas as plans adjust quickly and Chalobah is expected to integrate once he arrives at the camp.
Rules allow teams to replace injured outfield players up to 24 hours before their first match. This provision enabled England to make the late change without complications.
Livramento earned his debut under Gareth Southgate in November 2024. Since then, he has featured five times, including two starts under Thomas Tuchel.
He recently appeared at half-time in a narrow win over New Zealand. However, he remained unused during the subsequent match against Costa Rica.
England defensive concerns deepen as Livramento injury raises doubts over squad depth before World Cup opener
Reece James remains Tuchel’s preferred right-back but carries his own fitness concerns. The Chelsea defender missed several matches late in the season due to a hamstring issue.
Meanwhile, other options offer flexibility but limited certainty at this level. Djed Spence can operate on both flanks and has six appearances under Tuchel.
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Ezri Konsa, primarily a centre-back, brings experience with multiple starts for England. Yet, neither option fully replaces Livramento’s attacking energy and defensive balance.
Chalobah returns to the national setup after his last appearance in June 2025. He played a full match against Senegal but has since remained on the fringes.
His versatility may prove useful, though centre-back remains his natural position. That could influence how Tuchel reshapes his defensive line moving forward.
Eyebrows have yet been raised again after Tuchel overlooked Real Madrid player Trent Alexander-Arnold as a replacement for Livramento. The former Liverpool star had been omitted from England’s final squad for the 2026 World Cup.
Ultimately, England must adapt quickly to this unexpected disruption. Their campaign begins under pressure, with defensive stability now a growing concern.
