Livramento ruled out of World Cup with hamstring injury as Chalobah set for call-up

Tino Livramento’s World Cup is over before it started after the Newcastle defender suffered a hamstring injury that will rule him out of England’s entire tournament in the United States. Thomas Tuchel has up to 24 hours before Wednesday’s Group L opener against Croatia to name a replacement, with Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah the expected call-up.

The 22-year-old’s tournament exit is a cruel blow for a player whose season at Newcastle was already heavily disrupted by injury. A combination of knee, hamstring and thigh problems kept Livramento sidelined for 25 games, yet he still managed 26 appearances in all competitions — form that earned him a place in Tuchel’s squad.

Livramento has six senior England caps, having made his international debut under interim manager Lee Carsley in November 2024. His absence opens the door for Chalobah, 26, who has earned just one previous call-up — a 3-1 friendly defeat to Senegal — and would now be thrust into a World Cup squad at short notice.

England face Croatia in their Group L opener on Wednesday, and Tuchel must finalise his revised squad before that deadline. Chalobah offers versatility across the backline, though he arrives with minimal international experience should he be required to play.