Five England Players Withdraw From Nations League Squad

Five England players have withdrawn from the squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches, prompting the Football Association to call up two replacements. The withdrawals were confirmed on Monday, September 21, 2026, just days after manager Thomas Tuchel had warned players to prove their worth following the World Cup. The players withdrawing are Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice, Chelsea forward Cole Palmer, Manchester United pair Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo, and Newcastle United defender Tino Livramento. In response, Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White and Everton midfielder James Garner have been added to the squad. England are scheduled to face World Cup winners Spain at Wembley on Saturday, September 26, before playing two matches against the Czech Republic and one against Croatia over the next two weeks. The squad is set to assemble at St George's Park on Tuesday. Rice's withdrawal is attributed to load management. Despite playing the full 90 minutes in Arsenal's 3-0 defeat to Brighton on Saturday, the FA stated he is being rested after making 69 appearances for club and country last season through to the end of the World Cup.