England’s World Cup preparations suffer an early setback, as Tino Livramento withdraws injured and Trevoh Chalobah receives a late call-up. The change comes just days before England’s opening Group L match against Croatia, with squad plans adjusted under a tight tournament deadline.

Chalobah replaces Livramento after England meet the competition rule that allows changes up to 24 hours before the first fixture. The defender will officially link up with Thomas Tuchel’s group at their Kansas City base following the match against Croatia in Group L.

Livramento had already missed the closing five weeks of Newcastle United’s Premier League campaign because of a thigh problem. The full-back recovered in time to earn a place in Tuchel’s World Cup squad, but the fitness concern remained a talking point around England’s defensive depth.

Reports state Livramento picked up a fresh calf issue during a training session on Sunday, ruling the defender out with England’s tournament starting on Wednesday. Newcastle confirm Livramento will now return to the club for continued rehabilitation work, rather than remain with the national squad in the United States.

Chalobah, who has one England cap, previously worked under Tuchel at Chelsea and is familiar with the coach’s tactical demands. The defender’s last international appearance came in June 2025, when Chalobah played the full 90 minutes against Senegal.

Since that Senegal match, Chalobah has only made the bench for England during World Cup qualifying under Tuchel. However, at club level, Chalobah featured 47 times for Chelsea in all competitions last season after the Club World Cup, starting 41 matches and offering consistent defensive minutes.

Chalobah scored three goals for Chelsea during that campaign and contributed at the other end with strong defensive numbers. Chelsea kept 12 clean sheets with Chalobah on the pitch, which was the joint-highest total among outfield players, level with Marc Cucurella in the squad.

England’s schedule in Group L includes fixtures against Croatia, Ghana and Panama, with defensive stability a key concern after Livramento’s withdrawal. The altered England World Cup squad will now be assessed through those three matches, as Tuchel weighs Chalobah’s readiness for tournament action and adjusts selection plans.