Livramento ruled out of World Cup with calf injury as Tuchel eyes Chalobah replacement

Tino Livramento is expected to be ruled out of the 2026 World Cup with a suspected calf injury, dealing Thomas Tuchel an unwanted selection headache less than 24 hours before England face Croatia in Dallas on Wednesday.

The Newcastle full-back, 23, was viewed as a versatile back-up option capable of operating at both right back and left back. His absence leaves Tuchel with a tighter defensive bench heading into the tournament, though Jarrell Quansah, Ezri Konsa, Djed Spence and centre-back Dan Burn — who can fill in at left back — remain available in the squad.

FIFA regulations allow a squad replacement up to 24 hours before a team’s first game, provided the incoming player featured on the 55-man provisional list submitted before the tournament. Tuchel has until 9pm BST on Tuesday to make a change.

Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah is considered the frontrunner to fly out to the United States as a last-minute addition. Real Madrid’s Trent Alexander-Arnold has also been mentioned, though he has not featured in a Tuchel squad since last summer, making Chalobah the more likely call.

For Livramento personally, the timing is particularly cruel. The World Cup represented his first major international tournament, and he had only five senior caps to his name before the squad was named. He also came off the bench in England’s warm-up victory over New Zealand ten days ago, suggesting he was fit and in contention for minutes in the group stage.

England’s campaign opens against Croatia on Wednesday, with Reece James and Nico O’Reilly set to start at wing back — the positions Livramento had been earmarked to cover.