England Faces Livramento Injury Blow Before World Cup Opener

England’s World Cup plans have been jolted on the eve of their tournament opener, with Tino Livramento reportedly set to fly home after suffering a calf injury.

Thomas Tuchel’s squad are due to head to Texas following a final training session at their Kansas City base, where preparations have been sharp and largely uninterrupted ahead of Wednesday’s Group L clash with Croatia. Until now, England had trained with a full squad in front of the media since landing in Missouri, projecting an image of calm readiness.

That picture has changed quickly.

Livramento, who had been expected to provide energy and balance from full-back, withdrew from pre-arranged media duties on Sunday. Reports have since indicated the Newcastle defender has sustained a calf problem serious enough to rule him out of the tournament, not just Tuesday’s session.

It leaves Tuchel facing an unwanted reshuffle just as England’s campaign is about to begin. Chelsea centre-back Trevoh Chalobah is understood to be under consideration as a replacement, a move that would alter both the defensive profile of the squad and the options in wide areas.

There is at least a small window for England to act. FIFA regulations allow nations to replace injured players up to 24 hours before their first match, giving the Football Association until 3pm local time in Texas (9pm Irish time) to complete the necessary paperwork and formally register any change.

The squad will still board the flight south with Croatia in their sights, but the mood around England’s camp has shifted. On the brink of a World Cup opener, they now have to solve their first problem before a ball has even been kicked.