World Cup 2026: Should Tino Livramento make the England Squad?

The World Cup draw is only a matter of months away and therefore the places in England’s World Cup squad are being finalised as the season progresses. Thomas Tuchel has a few big decisions to make before June, and in this series we are assessing the chances of some fringe players making it into the squad. 

Next up, Newcastle United’s Tino Livramento.

Unfortunately at the time of writing, Livramento has suffered a knee injury which is set to rule him out for up to two months. That will take us towards 2026 with his last Premier League appearance coming on September 28, so the lack of football will certainly dent his chances. 

However, despite that negative, there are plenty of positives when it comes to the Newcastle full-back. Top of the list is his versatility, which makes him a valuable asset. He can comfortably play right-back or left-back and he has the capability to play on either side as a wing-back as well. 

Today's Football Fixtures

Kieran Trippier has done the same thing at recent tournaments but he’s certainly better on the right than on the left, where he can sometimes look a little clunky. Livramento by comparison is a natural on both sides, and also he has played further forward for his club side. 

That is unlikely to happen for England given the amount of attacking talent Tuchel has at his disposal, but the cover at both right-back and left-back surely appeals. He’s also got plenty of potential, and he only turns 23 in November, so he’s the right age profile as well. 

England World Cup 2026 Squad Odds

The competition has been fierce at right-back over the past decade, with Kyle Walker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Reece James and Trippier all elite players - but with Trips and Walker at the back-end of their careers and Alexander-Arnold out of the public eye in Spain, a gap does seem to have opened up. 

James is seemingly first choice on the right side of the defence and Djed Spence is emerging as a fantastic option but beyond that, we aren’t quite sure right now. The opportunity for Livramento though is even more apparent on the left. Luke Shaw isn’t under consideration it seems, Myles Lewis-Skelly is still young and his minutes at Arsenal are limited and so Spence seems to be the most likely starter at the time of writing. 

World Cup Odds

Spence and Livramento are similar in terms of versatility, but there’s a chance Tuchel may need both of them rather than one or the other. Lewis-Skelly won’t stay in the squad if he doesn’t play for Arsenal, that has already been made clear by the manager, so England are desperate for left-backs. 

If Livramento can get himself back fit as soon as possible, and make himself undroppable for his club, that could be enough to carry him to the World Cup as a left-back. As it stands, there’s too many players ahead of him at right-back in my view but he’s the right age to progress through and perform at the next few tournaments.

It’s completely in the balance right now, which probably makes the price of 10/11 a fair one.

Offers

Acca Flex: Place a pre-match 5+ leg Football accumulator and get a CASH bonus up to 100% if all of your selections win or your money back as CASH if one leg lets you down