England’s World Cup buildup has been anything but smooth, and the latest setback involves a key defensive piece. Newcastle United fullback Tino Livramento, 23, reportedly picked up an injury during a training session ahead of England’s Group Stage opener against Croatia. While the Football Association has stayed quiet on the specifics, early whispers suggest Livramento could be sidelined for up to four weeks.
If that timeline holds, it would be a crushing blow for both player and team. Livramento had only just returned from a thigh issue that cost him the final five weeks of the Premier League season. His World Cup selection was already seen as something of a gamble — a talented but recently fragile asset. Now, that gamble may not pay off.
The Injury That Keeps Coming
Livramento made his senior England debut under Gareth Southgate and has started five matches under Thomas Tuchel. At 23, he looked like a long-term solution at right-back. But durability has become a nagging question. The latest setback, described by those close to the camp as a muscular issue, raises real concerns about his availability for the knockout rounds — assuming England advances.
According to a report from the BBC, Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah is the frontrunner to replace Livramento if the FA decides to make a change. Tournament rules allow for squad replacements up to 24 hours before a team’s first match in cases of serious injury or illness. England plays Croatia on the opening matchday, so the clock is ticking.
A Pattern of Pain
This isn’t an isolated incident. England arrived at the tournament with a laundry list of fitness worries. Reece James, currently Tuchel’s first-choice right-back, has his own medical baggage. Bukayo Saka and John Stones also carried questions about their physical readiness. The team has been dealing with off-field drama too — a string of thefts from player accommodations added an extra layer of tension to an already high-stakes environment.
For a squad with genuine title ambitions, the timing could not be worse. Depth at fullback was supposed to be a strength. Instead, England may be forced to patch together a backline on the fly. Fans online have noted the irony: a team that spent months planning for every scenario is now scrambling due to injuries to players who were already injury risks.
As of now, neither the FA nor FIFA has issued a formal statement. But with the tournament clock running, a decision on Livramento’s status is expected within the next 48 hours. If Chalobah gets the call, it will be a rapid promotion for a defender who wasn’t even guaranteed a roster spot a week ago.
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