Major World Cup blow for England as Tino Livramento set to miss tournament
England have suffered a major World Cup setback with Tino Livramento expected to miss the rest of the tournament through injury, reports BritPanorama.
The Newcastle defender has reportedly sustained a calf injury that will necessitate his departure from Thomas Tuchel’s squad following scans that revealed a low-grade tear. As a result, Livramento is anticipated to return to Newcastle for rehabilitation ahead of the new Premier League season.
This injury setback arrives just 24 hours before England begin their World Cup campaign against Croatia in Dallas, presenting Tuchel with an unwelcome selection dilemma. While Livramento was not expected to start the Group L opener, with Reece James seen as the preferred right-back, his absence limits the team’s options.
Tuchel has highlighted the significance of squad depth due to the challenging conditions and extreme temperatures anticipated throughout the tournament. The England manager has emphasised the potential role of substitutes, making Livramento’s injury particularly frustrating given the increased demands on players.
Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah is now expected to receive a call-up as Tuchel swiftly seeks to fill the vacancy in his 26-man squad. Should Chalobah come in, it would be a surprising move, considering his primary role is central defence. This decision may also highlight Tuchel’s ongoing reluctance to include Real Madrid star Trent Alexander-Arnold, who, despite his extensive experience, was omitted from the World Cup squad.
Livramento’s injury is a cruel blow, especially given his efforts to secure a place in the international setup. First called up by Lee Carsley during his interim period in August 2024, Livramento made his senior debut later that year in England’s 5-Nations League triumph over the Republic of Ireland. His impressive performances at Newcastle bolstered Tuchel’s belief that he merited a spot in England’s World Cup roster, marking his debut at a major international tournament.
Having made six appearances for the Three Lions, Livramento was viewed as a valuable asset heading into the World Cup. Instead, his tournament is evidently over before England has even begun. Attention now shifts to whether Chalobah will indeed join the squad and how Tuchel might adjust his defensive strategy as England aims for success on the global stage. Their match against Croatia is scheduled to kick off at 9 PM on Wednesday, with fixtures against Panama and Ghana to follow in the group stage.
As players rally to replace injured teammates, it serves as a stark reminder of how quickly fortunes can change at this level, underlining the unpredictable nature of tournament football.
