FIFA WC 2026: Trevoh Chalobah replaces injured Livramento in England squad
Synopsis
England's World Cup 2026 preparations took a hit when full-back Tino Livramento was ruled out of the entire tournament with a calf injury sustained in training — just days before their opener against Croatia. Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah has been drafted in as his replacement, with England still chasing their first major title since 1966.
Key Takeaways
Tino Livramento , 23 , has been ruled out of FIFA World Cup 2026 after sustaining a calf injury in training on Sunday, 15 June .
A scan and medical assessment on Monday confirmed Livramento could play no further part in the tournament.
Trevoh Chalobah of Chelsea has been called up as his replacement under a FIFA rule allowing outfield player substitutions up to 24 hours before the opening fixture.
Chalobah will travel to Kansas City base camp while the rest of the squad heads to Dallas, Texas for the Croatia opener.
England have not won a major international title since the 1966 FIFA World Cup , reaching the semi-finals in 1990 and 2018 .
Trevoh Chalobah has been called up to England's FIFA World Cup 2026 squad after Tino Livramento was ruled out of the entire tournament with a calf injury sustained during a training session on Sunday, 15 June. The Chelsea defender will travel to the team's base camp in Kansas City, while the rest of the squad heads to Dallas, Texas for England's opening group fixture against Croatia on Wednesday local time (Thursday IST).
How Livramento Was Ruled Out
Newcastle United full-back Tino Livramento, 23, picked up the calf injury during England's Sunday afternoon training session. A scan and medical assessment conducted on Monday confirmed he could take no further part in the tournament. The Football Association invoked a FIFA regulation that permits participating nations to replace an outfield player up to 24 hours before their opening fixture.
Livramento's exit is a notable setback for Harry Kane's side. The versatile defender, capable of operating on either flank, had already arrived at the tournament short of full match fitness after missing the final two months of the club season with a thigh injury. He featured in the second half of England's 1-0 warm-up win over New Zealand in Florida but was unused in the subsequent friendly against Costa Rica.
Chalobah Steps In
England's official statement confirmed: '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. Arrangements are now being made for the Chelsea defender to make the journey to the team's base camp in Kansas City.'
Chalobah, a central defender by trade, adds cover to a backline that will need to be at its sharpest against a competitive Croatia side. His inclusion brings England's squad back to the full complement of 26 players.
England's World Cup Ambitions
England head into FIFA World Cup 2026 carrying the weight of a 60-year title drought — their only World Cup triumph came on home soil at the 1966 edition. In the intervening decades, they have reached the semi-finals twice, in 1990 and 2018, but have not gone further. This tournament represents another opportunity to end that long wait.
England's Updated 26-Man Squad
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, James Trafford
Defenders: Reece James, Ezri Konsa, Jarell Quansah, John Stones, Marc Guehi, Dan Burn, Nico O'Reilly, Djed Spence, Trevoh Chalobah
Midfielders: Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Kobbie Mainoo, Jordan Henderson, Morgan Rogers, Jude Bellingham, Eberechi Eze
Forwards: Harry Kane, Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins, Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon, Noni Madueke
England's campaign at FIFA World Cup 2026 gets underway against Croatia on Wednesday in Dallas, with the squad and management now focused on regrouping swiftly after the Livramento setback.
Point of View
Meaning England's wide defensive cover is now thinner than the coaching staff would have planned. More broadly, Livramento had already arrived at the tournament carrying a thigh injury from the club season — his inclusion in the original squad was always a fitness gamble. The bigger question is whether England's management can maintain cohesion through early disruptions of this kind, particularly with Croatia — a side that eliminated England at the 2018 semi-final — waiting in Dallas.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Tino Livramento ruled out of FIFA World Cup 2026?
Livramento sustained a calf injury during England's training session on Sunday, 15 June. A scan and medical assessment on Monday confirmed he could take no further part in the tournament.
Who has replaced Tino Livramento in England's World Cup squad?
Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah has been called up as Livramento's replacement. He will join the squad at their base camp in Kansas City before the Croatia opener.
Is Trevoh Chalobah allowed to play in England's first match against Croatia?
FIFA regulations permit teams to replace an outfield player up to 24 hours before their opening fixture, so Chalobah's eligibility for the Croatia match will depend on the timing of his registration and travel arrangements.
What is England's opening match at FIFA World Cup 2026?
England face Croatia in Dallas, Texas on Wednesday local time (Thursday IST). It is a group-stage fixture at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
When did England last win the FIFA World Cup?
England's only FIFA World Cup title came in 1966, on home soil. They have since reached the semi-finals twice — in 1990 and 2018 — but have not advanced further.
