Massive Blow For England: Star Defender Injured Two Days Before FIFA World Cup Opener

Published 16 June 2026 · sports

Massive Blow For England: Star Defender Injured Two Days Before FIFA World Cup Opener Published By, Last Updated: June 16, 2026, 18:09 IST England defender

Massive Blow For England: Star Defender Injured Two Days Before FIFA World Cup Opener Published By, Last Updated: June 16, 2026, 18:09 IST England defender Tino Livramento suffers muscular injury before FIFA World Cup opener, Trevoh Chalobah considered as replacement as England assess options. Rapid Read Tino Livramento is challenged by Matthew Garbett #7 of New Zealand (Picture credit: AFP) In what might come as a huge blow for the England football team, two days ahead of their FIFA World Cup opener, star defender Tino Livramento has suffered a muscular injury which might rule him out of the marquee event altogether, with England’s first match at the tournament still two days away. According to a report in the BBC, Livramento was injured during training on Sunday, June 14 and is being assessed by medical staff.

England start their FIFA World Cup campaign against Croatia on Wednesday. But the involvement of Livramento had already been cast into doubt after he missed the final five weeks of the club season due to a thigh injury. Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah, who is on England’s standby list, is being considered as a potential replacement for Livramento if the latter is ruled out. Chalobah hasn’t featured for England since June 2025, when he played the full 90 minutes in a friendly against Senegal. But he has remained on the bench for multiple FIFA World Cup qualifiers under Tuchel. Outfield footballers who suffer a serious injury or illness may be replaced in a FIFA World Cup team up to 24 hours before their team’s opening game of the tournament starts.

Livramento made his international debut under Gareth Southgate in November 2024 and has since featured five times under Thomas Tuchel, starting twice. He came off the bench at half-time in England’s 1-0 warm-up victory over New Zealand, but remained an unused substitute against Costa Rica. Star right-back Reece James is Tuchel’s preferred option at the position, but concerns remain over his fitness after yet another injury-hit season. The former missed nine games for Chelsea towards the end of the campaign because of a hamstring issue. Other options already included in the England team include Djed Spence and Ezri Konsa. Spence, who is capable of operating on both flanks, has featured six times under Tuchel, while Konsa, a centre-back, has made 11 appearances, including nine starts.

News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: June 16, 2026, 18:06 IST News sports football Massive Blow For England: Star Defender Injured Two Days Before FIFA World Cup Opener Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...