Five players, including Rice and Palmer, withdrawn from England's Nations League squad

Five players were withdrawn from England's squad for the September–October UEFA Nations League matches, a report published on September 22, 2026, said; England are due to begin the group stage at Wembley against Spain on September 26.

Manager Thomas Tuchel has made limited changes to the squad despite multiple absences, and only two replacements have been named so far: James Garner of Everton and Morgan Gibbs-White of Nottingham Forest. The report notes Garner previously worked under Tuchel earlier this year, while Gibbs-White was widely viewed as unfairly omitted from the initial selection.

Tino Livramento was pulled from the squad after sustaining a fresh practice-ground injury while training with Newcastle United. Livramento had been recalled to Tuchel’s senior squad following a brief return to club action, but developed a new, unspecified muscle problem during the last training session before a club match.

Kobbie Mainoo was removed from the England squad after Manchester United’s 1-1 Premier League draw with Fulham; he played 80 minutes at Craven Cottage before being substituted. The report states Mainoo will spend the remainder of the international break recovering from his injury.

Cole Palmer has been withdrawn from the squad on load-management grounds and because of a small muscular ailment. The report says Palmer had been expected to feature in England’s matches against Spain, Croatia and the home and away fixtures against Czechia, and that he had started the season strongly for Chelsea; he also missed the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Marcus Rashford was dropped with a persistent hip problem compounded by a knock suffered in Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Fulham. According to the report, Rashford started and played 77 minutes at Craven Cottage on September 20, 2026, struggled during the match and was replaced after taking a serious challenge.

Declan Rice was withdrawn as part of a load-management approach to prioritise rest and recuperation from a serious acute ailment, the report states.

England's post-World Cup UEFA Nations League campaign begins on September 26 at Wembley against Spain; only James Garner and Morgan Gibbs-White have been called into the squad as replacements so far.