Five England players withdraw from squad before Spain

Five England players have withdrawn from Thomas Tuchel's squad through injury ahead of the nation's opening UEFA Nations League fixture against Spain at Wembley on Saturday, September 26, the Football Association confirmed. Declan Rice, Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo and Tino Livramento were all named in Tuchel's original 27-man squad for the extended international window before dropping out. The Football Association confirmed the withdrawals, and Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White and Everton midfielder James Garner were called up as replacements. Both were expected to report to St George's Park on Tuesday with the rest of the squad. The absences cut across several areas of the squad. Palmer's withdrawal came after the Chelsea forward had been recalled for the first time since England's 2026 World Cup campaign. He played the full 90 minutes in Chelsea's 3-0 Premier League defeat to Brentford on Friday before pulling out. Reports indicate his situation involves a minor muscular issue and injury management rather than a serious setback.