Tino Livramento’s World Cup campaign is over after scans confirmed a low-grade calf tear. Trevoh Chalobah has been called into England’s 26-player squad and is set to be available for the second group match against Ghana.
The shock came with timing England could not afford. Just a day before their World Cup Group L opener against Croatia in Dallas, Tino Livramento was ruled out after a calf injury was confirmed by scans as a low-grade tear, forcing him to fly home from the tournament.
England have moved quickly to limit the damage. Trevoh Chalobah—now called up to replace Livramento in the 26-player squad—has been on his way to join the group in Kansas City, Missouri. He will be available from England’s second group stage game against Ghana next Tuesday.
The injury is not described as catastrophic, but it is decisive for a World Cup. Although the recovery time is “just a few weeks,” it has been judged too long for Livramento to stay with the England camp. He will return to Newcastle to begin rehabilitation work at the club in time for pre-season.
England boss Thomas Tuchel has already made his first big squad adjustment of the tournament cycle, replacing Livramento with Chalobah. Tuchel stressed the value of having substitutes who can “carry [England] over the line late in games,” particularly in North America’s extreme heat.
Chalobah’s role also comes with a question mark that won’t go away. His natural position is at centre-back—he has played only 97 minutes at right back in the Premier League this season—yet the selection means Tuchel continues to leave Trent Alexander-Arnold out of his right-back plans. In Tuchel’s current squad, Reece James remains the only recognised right back.
The broader right-side selection remains a talking point inside the camp. Right-footed Djed Spence was picked in part for his versatility across the back line. but the numbers show he has only started three games for Tottenham at right back this season. He has been moved there mid-game a further six times. Behind Spence, Declan Rice has played the next highest number of right-back minutes with 107.
England’s opening fixture is already looming. News of Livramento’s injury landed with Croatia on the schedule in Group L in Dallas on Wednesday. It is the kind of setback that can change a coach’s thinking overnight—especially when it arrives so close to kick-off.
Livramento’s route to the tournament adds context to how sudden the exit feels. He has made six appearances for England. His call-up came from Lee Carsley in August 2024 during Carsley’s spell as caretaker head coach with the Under 21s. Known to Carsley from the time they worked together at U21 level. Livramento made his senior debut in November in England’s 5-0 Nations League victory over the Republic of Ireland.
His performances at St James’ Park under Eddie Howe helped impress Tuchel enough to include him in England’s 26-man World Cup squad—his first major tournament. But his World Cup involvement had already been under strain after he missed the final five weeks of the season with a thigh injury.
Chalobah, meanwhile, has been enjoying an off-season away from the usual routine. He has been sharing training footage from the Mediterranean through his partnership with sportswear brand Alo. Newcastle left back Lewis Hall also misses out. while both Alexander-Arnold (34 caps) and Hall (four) have accumulated more first-team experience than Chalobah.
The FA confirmed the change in a statement: “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.” The statement added that “arrangements are now being made for the Chelsea defender to make the journey to the team’s basecamp in Kansas City. while the rest of the squad will head to Dallas. Texas for the Three Lions’ opening group fixture against Croatia on Wednesday.”.
It also made clear why England can move as they have: FIFA regulations allow participating teams to replace an outfield player up to 24 hours before their opening fixture.
For Livramento, the immediate focus turns to getting his body right. Newcastle defender Livramento picked up the calf injury in training on Sunday afternoon, and a scan and medical assessment on Monday confirmed he could play no further part in England’s tournament.
For England, the focus shifts to rotation and timing. With their World Cup opener against Croatia in Dallas already set, the decision now is about who can provide answers when matches tighten—especially in heat that can sap energy fast.
Tino Livramento Trevoh Chalobah England World Cup 2026 Thomas Tuchel Croatia vs England Ghana vs England FIFA regulations calf injury Newcastle Chelsea
So Livramento is done for the whole cup? That’s rough.
Low-grade calf tear but still “too long”?? I swear everyone says it’s just a few weeks and then it’s months. I don’t get it. Hopefully Chalobah doesn’t just get thrown in and cooked in the heat.
Chalobah at right back sounds like whoever picks lineups was just like “eh close enough” lol. If Trent Alexander-Arnold is still out then why even bother calling it a World Cup strategy. Also Ghana gonna eat them if it’s that random.
Wait, it says his recovery is a few weeks but they still sent him home before the Croatia match like instantly. That part feels weird, like he could’ve stayed and just rested. And Tuchel saying subs can “carry them over the line late” is kinda funny when they’re already scrambling for squad spots day-of.