England’s Tino Livramento, a defender, recently had calf surgery after being sidelined from the World Cup due to an injury. The 23-year-old sustained the injury during training in Florida before England’s Group L opener against Croatia. Livramento’s absence led to Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah joining the squad as a replacement, altering the defensive lineup.
Newcastle United, Livramento’s club, confirmed his successful minor surgery following his return from the World Cup. The defender is expected to recover during the pre-season period. England’s coach, Thomas Tuchel, is likely to make changes ahead of their Round of 32 match against the Democratic Republic of the Congo at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Despite England’s 2-0 victory over Panama, concerns persist over their ability to break down disciplined defenses after a goalless draw with Ghana. Jude Bellingham’s contributions were crucial in securing the win with a goal and an assist to Harry Kane. While England’s defense remained solid, there were vulnerabilities that stronger opponents could exploit more effectively.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo represents a significant challenge for England, having advanced to the Round of 32 with impressive performances against Uzbekistan, Portugal, and Colombia. Their upcoming clash will test England’s capabilities against a resolute African side.
