England defender Tino Livramento ruled out of World Cup with calf injury; Trevoh Chalobah called in
England lose versatile full-back Tino Livramento to a calf injury days before their World Cup opener against Croatia, prompting a late call-up for Chelsea's Trevoh Chalobah.
Late injury blow
England's preparations for the World Cup suffered a setback when right-back Tino Livramento tore a calf muscle during a training session at the team's Kansas City base on Sunday afternoon. A scan and medical assessment on Monday confirmed the 23-year-old Newcastle defender could play no further part in the tournament. Livramento, who has six caps, had already missed the final five weeks of the Premier League season with a thigh complaint and made only 17 league appearances in an injury-disrupted campaign.
Chalobah steps in
The English Football Association moved quickly under FIFA's late-squad-change rule, summoning Chelsea centre-back Trevoh Chalobah as a replacement. A team statement said arrangements are being made for the 26-year-old to travel to the Kansas City camp, though he will not join the squad until after Wednesday's opening group match in Arlington, Texas.
Trevoh Chalobah has been called into England's 26-player squad at FIFA World Cup 2026 after injury sadly forced the withdrawal of Tino Livramento.
Chalobah has one senior cap, earned in a friendly against Senegal in June 2025, and has predominantly played as a centre-back for Chelsea, though he also has experience at right-back.
Right-back depth tested
Livramento was seen chiefly as cover for the injury-prone Reece James, who missed nine games for Chelsea late in the season with a hamstring problem and is still battling fitness issues. Tottenham's Djed Spence, who can operate on either flank (six caps under Thomas Tuchel), and Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa, primarily a centre-back (11 caps, nine starts), are the other options at right-back.
FIFA injury replacement rule
FIFA permits teams to swap an injured player up to 24 hours before their first group-stage kick-off, provided the replacement is drawn from a provisional release list of up to 55 names submitted prior to the tournament.
Group L path
England begin their Group L campaign against Croatia on Wednesday at 22:00 local time in Arlington, Texas, before facing Ghana and Panama later in the group stage. The Three Lions are based in Kansas City, Missouri, and will travel to Dallas for the opener without Chalobah available for that fixture.
- Livramento sustains calf injury in training, Kansas City
- Scan and medical assessment confirm he cannot participate in the tournament
- FA announces Trevoh Chalobah as injury replacement; team departs for Dallas
- England vs Croatia, Group L opener, Arlington (Chalobah unavailable)
