Five England Players Withdraw From England Squad Ahead of Nations League

Palmer's withdrawal is particularly notable. The Chelsea forward had only just been recalled to the England squad after being left out of Tuchel's World Cup team in the summer. He had been given another opportunity to work his way back into the manager's plans, but a muscle injury will now keep him out of the upcoming matches.

Palmer had started the season strongly for Chelsea and played the full 90 minutes in Chelsea's 3-0 defeat to Brentford on Friday, only to be ruled out of the squad shortly afterward.

Five Players Out

The withdrawals affect several important areas of Tuchel's squad.

• Cole Palmer – Chelsea (muscle injury)

• Declan Rice – Arsenal (load management)

• Marcus Rashford – Manchester United (hip issue)

• Kobbie Mainoo – Manchester United (injury)

• Tino Livramento – Newcastle United (injury)

The Football Association did not disclose full details on every case. Rashford and Mainoo were both substituted late during Manchester United's 1-1 draw with Fulham, with Rashford appearing to struggle with a hip problem that has persisted since the summer. Livramento did not feature for Newcastle in their win over Hull. Rice played the full match in Arsenal's defeat to Brighton, but his absence from the squad is being managed as a precaution after 69 appearances for club and country last season, rather than a result of a specific injury.

Who Will Replace Them?

Tuchel has responded by calling up Morgan Gibbs-White and James Garner.

Gibbs-White, who plays for Nottingham Forest, has six England caps and returns to the senior squad for the first time in almost a year. Garner, an Everton midfielder, has two senior appearances for England.

Both players are expected to join the rest of the squad at St George's Park ahead of the opening fixture.

What Happens Next?

England open their 2026-27 Nations League campaign, drawn in League A alongside Spain, Croatia and Czechia.

They begin at home to Spain at Wembley on Saturday, September 26, before travelling to face Czechia on Tuesday, September 29. England then play Croatia away on Saturday, October 3, a match that will be played behind closed doors due to a UEFA sanction against the hosts, before hosting Czechia again at Wembley on Tuesday, October 6.

For Palmer, the timing is frustrating. His recall had offered him a chance to respond on the pitch after missing the World Cup, and Tuchel had made clear that the Chelsea forward would need to perform to establish himself in the team again.

Now, instead of making that case with England, Palmer will have to focus on recovering from his injury while Tuchel reshapes his squad for the opening block of Nations League matches.

The bigger immediate issue for England is the number of changes required before the team has even begun its campaign.