A day before England’s World Cup 2026 opener against Croatia, defender Tino Livramento was ruled out of the entire tournament with a calf injury, and manager Thomas Tuchel called up Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah as his replacement – snubbing Real Madrid star Trent Alexander-Arnold, a triple Champions League finalist and the Premier League’s most prolific playmaking defender.
The injury blow came just as Tuchel finalised his 26-man squad for the tournament in the United States. Livramento, a 23-year-old Newcastle right-back, had been expected to feature but suffered the injury in training. The Football Association has not officially confirmed the news, but multiple reports indicate he has flown home. Tuchel, who previously coached Chalobah at Chelsea, opted for the 26-year-old rather than Alexander-Arnold, raising questions about the manager’s pecking order.
“Explains England's squad selection issues ahead of the 2026 World Cup, including injury blows and defensive dilemmas.”
This decision is part of a broader defensive headache for Tuchel. England’s centre-back options are widely seen as the weakest in recent memory, with a lack of experienced, in-form players. John Stones, a 32-year-old with only 11 Premier League starts in the past two seasons, is expected to start against Croatia, despite a limited role at Manchester City. Ezri Konsa and Marc Guehi are other options, but Guehi is the only one with consistent game time. Stones’ experience – he has been moulded by Pep Guardiola and is part of England’s leadership group – appears to have convinced Tuchel to build his defence around him.
For UK readers, the stakes are high. England qualified with a perfect record – no draws, no defeats, no goals conceded – but friendly performances have been uninspiring. The defensive uncertainty could undermine the team’s chances in a tournament where expectation is always immense. Tuchel’s controversial selections, including the Alexander-Arnold snub, have sparked debate among fans and pundits. The Three Lions’ opening match against Croatia kicks off at 9pm UK time on Wednesday in Dallas, Texas.
Q: Why was Trent Alexander-Arnold left out of England's World Cup squad? Thomas Tuchel chose Trevoh Chalobah as the replacement for the injured Tino Livramento, meaning Alexander-Arnold – a player with two Premier League titles and three Champions League finals – is now at most seventh-choice right-back in Tuchel’s eyes. The manager has not publicly explained the decision, but it fits a pattern of overlooking the Real Madrid defender.
Q: Who is Trevoh Chalobah and why was he called up? Trevoh Chalobah is a 26-year-old Chelsea defender who previously played under Tuchel at Stamford Bridge. He was brought into the squad as a direct replacement for Livramento, making his first World Cup call-up, despite having limited international experience.
Q: How serious is England's centre-back problem? Several analysts consider this the weakest England centre-back group in decades. John Stones has barely played for Manchester City, while Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Reece James and Nico O’Reilly are all appearing at their first World Cup. Tuchel is expected to rely on Stones’ experience, but his lack of match fitness is a concern.
What happens next: England play Croatia in their Group L opener on Wednesday 16 June. The team’s performance will test Tuchel’s defensive picks. Meanwhile, other World Cup matches have already seen surprises – Cape Verde held Spain to a 0-0 draw, and Iran drew 2-2 with New Zealand amid political protests. The tournament continues with France, Argentina and other favourites in action.