Confusion arises as Tuchel ignores 2 star players and picks an "unnoticed foreign player" to replace an injured teammate ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
On 16 June 2026, Thomas Tuchel, head coach of England’s national team, made a controversial decision after Tino Livramento, the versatile full-back from Newcastle United, withdrew from the 2026 World Cup squad due to a calf injury.
FIFA allows each team to make squad changes up to 24 hours before their first match in the 2026 World Cup in cases of injury or serious illness. England is scheduled to open their Group L campaign against Croatia on Wednesday, 17 June.
However, Thomas Tuchel chose not to call up natural full-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold (Real Madrid) and Lewis Hall (Newcastle) to replace Tino Livramento, who can play both right-back and left-back.
Instead, the England coach decided to select Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah as a replacement, meaning the "Three Lions" will likely field Reece James—who has struggled with injuries—as their starting right-back in the 2026 World Cup.
Other options for England’s right-back position in the 2026 World Cup include Jad Spence, Jarell Quansah, Ezri Konsa, and Trevoh Chalobah. However, the last three are not natural right-backs and are more accustomed to playing center-back.
