England Faces Livramento Injury Blow Before World Cup Opener

England’s World Cup preparations have been jolted at the last moment, with Tino Livramento reportedly set to fly home on the eve of their opening game.

Thomas Tuchel’s squad are due to leave their Kansas City base for Texas after a final training session ahead of Wednesday’s Group L clash with Croatia. Until now, everything had looked smooth. Every player had trained in front of the media since England landed in Missouri, the group appearing settled and fully fit.

That picture has changed quickly.

Livramento, the Newcastle full-back viewed as a dynamic option down the flank, is now expected to miss the entire tournament, not just Tuesday’s final session. He withdrew from pre-arranged media duties on Sunday and reports have since indicated he has suffered a calf injury serious enough to end his World Cup before it begins.

It is a brutal setback for the defender, and a headache England did not need so close to kick-off.

Replacement Options

Attention now turns to the replacement list. Chelsea centre-back Trevoh Chalobah is understood to be under consideration to come in for Livramento, a move that would alter the balance of England’s defensive options but preserve depth across the back line.

FIFA regulations give England a narrow window to act. Injured players can be replaced up to 24 hours before a team’s opening match, meaning the Football Association have until 3pm local time in Texas — 9pm Irish time — to complete and submit the necessary paperwork.

One day left, a major decision to make, and a World Cup campaign that now begins under a cloud of uncertainty.