Thomas Tuchel has snubbed Trent Alexander-Arnold for two reasons after Tino Livramento’s World Cup injury blow. The Newcastle star has pulled out of England’s squad the day before the Three Lions’ opening group game, with a replacement already announced.
England boss Thomas Tuchel has ignored Trent Alexander-Arnold once more due to the logistics of getting him to the United States and his fit with the current squad. The Real Madrid defender appeared to have been handed a late World Cup lifeline on Tuesday, with Tino Livramento pulling out of the squad with injury.
But it has since been confirmed that Chelsea's Trevoh Chalobah has been called up as a replacement instead. A statement from the FA read: “Trevoh Chalobah has been called into England’s 26-player squad at FIFA World Cup 2026 after injury sadly forced the withdrawal of Tino Livramento. Arrangements are now being made for the Chelsea defender to make the journey to the team’s basecamp in Kansas City, while the rest of the squad will head to Dallas, Texas for the Three Lions’ opening group fixture against Croatia on Wednesday.
“FIFA regulations allow participating teams to replace an outfield player up to 24 hours before their opening fixture. Newcastle United defender Livramento picked up a calf injury in training on Sunday afternoon. A subsequent scan and medical assessment on Monday unfortunately confirmed he could play no further part in England’s tournament.”
It has now been explained why Tuchel did not choose Alexander-Arnold as a replacement. According to Sky Sports, FA chiefs do not actually know where the defender is so there are concerns over whether he would be able to get to the USA in time. Meanwhile, Tuchel has adopted a hard-line stance of not taking big names to the World Cup should they not be guaranteed minutes - Alexander-Arnold fitting into that bracket.
The decision leaves the former Liverpool star on 34 caps, albeit just one of those have come under current boss Tuchel. Explaining the defender’s absence earlier this year, the German coach said: “I know very well what Trent can offer us. I played many times against him and suffered when he played against my teams with Liverpool. So I know very well about his strength and what he can give. But at the moment it is like we have evidence how good we were in September, October, November, and the players who are in camp for right full-back, they have to push for their ticket, they have to compete, they have to show again that they deserve this.”
