Nations League: England loses five players ahead of clash with Spain

James Garner and Morgan Gibbs-White have been called up as replacements and are set to join the squad on Tuesday at St George’s Park. The England group is thus reduced ahead of a series of four Nations League matches played over sixteen days.

The first match is scheduled for September 26 against world champions Spain at Wembley. England will then travel to Prague to face the Czech Republic on September 29, followed by a trip to Croatia on October 3, before hosting the Czechs again on October 6.

Cole Palmer’s absence confirms his expected withdrawal after his call-up to the England squad. The Chelsea player had rejoined Thomas Tuchel’s group after missing the 2026 World Cup and had recorded four goals and two assists in seven matches with his club.

Declan Rice is the most experienced player among the five absentees, with 80 caps for Arsenal. Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo both played for Manchester United on Sunday against Fulham, while Tino Livramento did not participate in Newcastle’s last match.

The English Football Association did not specify the nature of each injury in its statement, only confirming distinct physical problems. Only two spots have been filled with the call-ups of Garner and Gibbs-White.

Garner earned his first two caps for England in March 2026. Gibbs-White has a total of six international appearances and re-joins a squad that is set to compete on Saturday at 7:45 pm local time against Spain.