Tino Livramento's World Cup Dream in Jeopardy

Tino Livramento’s World Cup dream is hanging by a thread.

The Newcastle United full-back has suffered a muscular injury in training and is now a major doubt for England’s campaign, just days before their opener against Croatia on Wednesday night (21:00 BST).

The problem is understood to have occurred during Sunday’s session, with medical staff assessing the extent of the damage. England will wait as long as they can, but the clock is already ticking.

A cruel twist for a latecomer

For Livramento, 23, the timing could hardly be worse. His place in the squad was already under scrutiny after he missed the final five weeks of the club season with a thigh injury. This tournament was meant to be his reset, his chance to show why Gareth Southgate trusted him with a debut in November 2024 and why Thomas Tuchel has continued to keep him in the frame.

Since Tuchel took charge, Livramento has featured five times, starting twice. He came on at half-time in the 1-0 warm-up win over New Zealand, a neat, composed cameo that hinted at his attacking threat from deep. He then watched from the bench as England faced Costa Rica, his workload clearly being managed.

Now, that careful management may not have been enough.

England’s right-back puzzle deepens

Tuchel already had one headache at right-back. Reece James remains his first-choice option, but the Chelsea defender’s fitness is a lingering concern after another stop-start, injury-hit season. James missed nine games at the end of the campaign with a hamstring issue, and every sprint in training will be watched with a wary eye.

Livramento was supposed to be both cover and competition. Dynamic, direct, and comfortable in advanced areas, he offered a different profile to the more established names. Losing him would not just be a numerical blow; it would strip England of one of their more adventurous full-back options.

The rules do offer Tuchel a safety net. Outfield players who suffer a serious injury or illness can be replaced in a World Cup squad up to 24 hours before the team’s first match. That window now looms large.

Chalobah waiting in the wings

If Livramento is ruled out, Trevoh Chalobah is the most likely beneficiary. The Chelsea defender is on England’s stand-by list and has already worked under Tuchel at club level, a familiarity that could smooth a late call-up.

Chalobah, 26, has not played for England since June 2025, when he completed the full 90 minutes in a friendly against Senegal. He has, however, remained on the fringes, making the bench for multiple World Cup qualifiers under Tuchel. Like Ezri Konsa, his natural role is at centre-back, but his versatility and comfort in a back three or four make him an attractive emergency option.

It would not be a like-for-like swap. Chalobah does not carry the same attacking instincts from full-back as Livramento. What he does offer is defensive security and tactical flexibility, which might appeal if James’s fitness remains fragile.

Other routes for Tuchel

Tuchel is not short of names in his squad, but he is short of certainty.

Djed Spence is already in the group and brings pace and aggression on either flank. He has featured six times under Tuchel and can step in on either side of the defence, a useful trait in tournament football where one injury can reshape an entire back line.

Konsa, predominantly a centre-back, has played 11 times for England under Tuchel, starting nine. He can slot in on the right of a back three or cover at full-back if needed, though that would naturally curb England’s attacking thrust down that side.

The picture is clear: England can plug the gap. What they may lose, if Livramento does not make it, is the kind of fearless, forward-driving full-back play that unsettles opponents at this level.

A decision against the clock

For now, England wait. The medical team will push for clarity, Livramento will fight to prove his fitness, and Tuchel must balance loyalty with cold tournament logic.

The deadline is unforgiving: 24 hours before England kick off against Croatia. By then, the manager must know whether Livramento is a risk worth taking, or whether this World Cup will pass him by before a ball is even kicked.