Trent Alexander-Arnold has suffered another setback in his England career as Thomas Tuchel named Trevoh Chalobah as the replacement for the injured Tino Livramento ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Livramento sustained a calf injury that will keep him out of the tournament in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
Alexander-Arnold's Omission Continues
The Real Madrid defender was notably absent from the initial 26-man squad, a decision that raised eyebrows across the country. Now, with Livramento's withdrawal, Tuchel has once again overlooked Alexander-Arnold, opting instead for Chelsea's Chalobah. This marks a fresh blow for the 27-year-old, who came through the ranks at Liverpool.
Alexander-Arnold enjoyed considerable success at Anfield, but on the international stage, he has frequently found himself on the periphery. He was consistently behind Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier in the pecking order and was only deployed in midfield during Euro 2024. Despite both Walker and Trippier retiring from international football, Alexander-Arnold's only appearance under Tuchel came in a 26-minute cameo against Andorra.
Tuchel's Concerns Over Defensive Capabilities
Tuchel has voiced concerns about Alexander-Arnold's defensive abilities, a sentiment he expressed in one of his earliest press conferences as England manager. In May 2025, Tuchel stated: "I can see that sometimes he relies heavily on his offensive contributions and gives not so much emphasis on the defensive discipline and effort. This major impact that he had for Liverpool over so many years, if he wants to have this impact in the English national team, then he has to take the defensive part very seriously."
He added: "Because when we are talking, especially, about qualifying football and then tournament football, the one defensive error, the one moment where you are not 100% awake, can be decisive, can be the moment where you pack your suitcases and go home."
Struggles at Real Madrid
Alexander-Arnold's turbulent spell at Real Madrid, blighted by injuries and a lack of regular game time, has done little to strengthen his case in Tuchel's eyes. In March, the defender appeared to take a swipe at the England manager with a cryptic Instagram post, sharing a photo of himself in action against Atletico Madrid with the caption: "Madrid. Y nada mas" — translating to "Madrid, nothing else."
The 2026 World Cup squad now includes Chalobah alongside other full-backs like Reece James, Djed Spence, Jarell Quansah, and Nico O'Reilly. Alexander-Arnold's absence continues to be a talking point as England prepare for the tournament.
