Livramento ruled out of World Cup, Tuchel recalls Chalobah over Alexander-Arnold

Tino Livramento will not play in the 2026 World Cup. The English Football Association officially announced on Tuesday the withdrawal of Newcastle’s right-back, forced to return home to continue his recovery after a calf tear.

The English medical staff deemed the injury “minor”, but determined that Livramento would not be fit in time to play in any match of the tournament. The Federation accompanied the announcement with a message of support: “We’re gutted for you, Tino, and we wish you a speedy recovery.”

To replace him, Thomas Tuchel chose to call up Trevoh Chalobah, Chelsea’s centre-back. A choice that raises eyebrows: Chalobah has only played 97 minutes on the right flank this season at club level, and is not available for England’s first match against Croatia on Wednesday. He could, however, be fielded from the second group match, against Ghana.

Tuchel’s decision also reignites the debate around Trent Alexander-Arnold. The Real Madrid right-back, excluded from the squad since the start of the competition, remains on holiday while his manager prefers to recall a centre-back unaccustomed to the position. Lewis Hall, also in good form in recent months with Newcastle, is also overlooked.

England will begin its World Cup on Wednesday against Luka Modric’s Croatia, with a reshuffled right defensive line and a medical substitute still unavailable.