Tino Livramento's World Cup Dream at Risk
Tino Livramento’s World Cup dream is hanging by a thread.
The Newcastle United full-back has suffered a muscular injury in training, leaving England and head coach Thomas Tuchel sweating on his fitness just days before their opening game against Croatia on Wednesday night (21:00 BST).
Fresh setback for a fragile body
Livramento, 23, was already walking a tightrope heading into the tournament. He missed the final five weeks of the season with a thigh problem and had only just edged his way back into contention. Now, after picking up this latest issue in Sunday’s session, he is being assessed by England’s medical staff, who must quickly decide whether he can stay in the squad.
Time is not on his side. World Cup regulations allow outfield players to be replaced up to 24 hours before a team’s first match if they suffer a serious injury or illness. England’s deadline is fast approaching.
If Livramento is ruled out, Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah, named on the standby list, is in line to step in.
Tuchel’s right-back puzzle
Tuchel’s plans at right-back are fraying at the edges. Reece James remains his first-choice option, but the Chelsea defender’s body has been through another bruising campaign. The 26-year-old missed nine matches at the end of the season with a hamstring injury, and his capacity to handle a demanding tournament schedule is an open question.
Livramento had emerged as an important part of the rotation. Handed his international debut by Gareth Southgate in November 2024, he has featured five times under Tuchel, starting twice. He came on at half-time in the 1-0 warm-up win over New Zealand, offering energy and drive down the flank, but stayed on the bench in the subsequent game against Costa Rica.
Now even that depth is under threat.
Within the squad, Tuchel still has options. Djed Spence, capable on both flanks, has played six times under him and offers pace and direct running. Ezri Konsa, more naturally a centre-back, has been trusted regularly, with 11 appearances and nine starts, and can cover on the right if needed.
None of them, though, quite match the specialist profile of a fully fit Livramento.
Chalobah waiting in the wings
Chalobah, 26, has not played for England since June 2025, when he completed the full 90 minutes in a friendly against Senegal. He has, however, remained close to the setup, often on the bench for World Cup qualifiers under Tuchel.
Like Konsa, his preferred role is in central defence, but his tactical discipline and comfort in wide defensive areas make him a logical emergency option. If the call comes, he will be stepping into a World Cup with no recent competitive minutes for his country, but with the trust of a coaching staff that has kept him in the frame.
England’s World Cup campaign has not yet begun, and already the back line is being reshaped by medical bulletins. Whether Livramento wins his race against time, or Chalobah is summoned into the 26, Tuchel’s defensive plans are being tested before a ball has even been kicked.
