Trevoh Chalobah manifested World Cup call as he replaces injured Tino Livramento in England squad

It's every player's dream to be part of a World Cup squad, but it's only a reality for a select few - 26, in fact - who are representing their countries at the tournament. 

Sadly for Tino Livramento, his own dream is over after he was ruled out of the England party just 24 hours before their first game with a calf injury. 

The Newcastle full-back's role would most likely have been as a back-up to the Three Lions first choice XI, but he will now have to watch the competition from home. 
 

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Yet, his loss has been the absolute gain for his replacement, with Chelsea's Trevoh Chalobah getting the latest of call-ups to the squad. 

The defender made his international debut for England last year, appearing in the defeat to Senegal in June 2025, the only cap to his name so far. 

However, upon his call-up, a social media post has been unearthed from the 26-year-old, where it now looks as though he manifested his World Cup dream. 

The post, from September 2018, shows a picture of the World Cup trophy, with the caption 'One day #Believe', and now eight years later, that belief will see him take his place in England's 2026 squad. 

Now, he will fulfil that dream when he joins up with Thomas Tuchel's men after their game with Croatia on Wednesday. 

Defensive options 

Chalobah's inclusion has sparked questions from England fans on why a more natural full-back hasn't gotten the call rather than the Chelsea defender. 

Lewis Hall, Luke Shaw and Miles Lewis-Skelly could have all been options, even though they are more left-sided full-backs, while it's another blow to Trent Alexander-Arnold, who's been overlooked once again. 

It would now appear that Ezri Konsa would be regarded as a 'second option' at right-back behind Reece James, with Chalobah adding to the options in the middle alongside Konsa, Marc Guehi, John Stones and Dan Burn. 

 

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