Five England Players Out of Match Against Spain

England has lost five players ahead of their first UEFA Nations League game against Spain at Wembley on Saturday.

Declan Rice, Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo, and Tino Livramento are all out of Thomas Tuchel’s squad due to injuries, according to the Football Association.

PUNCH Online reported on Wednesday that the English FA confirmed this on their website late Monday.

These five players were part of Tuchel’s 27-man squad for the international window. Their withdrawals mean the England manager has to make changes before the Three Lions kick off their campaign.

Here are the five players who will not play in the upcoming matches:

1. Declan Rice

Arsenal midfielder Rice is one of the key players missing from the squad.

The 27-year-old was in England’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and was included in Tuchel’s latest team for the Nations League.

His absence leaves England without an important midfield option for the opening matches.

2. Cole Palmer

Chelsea forward Palmer is also out after returning to the England squad for the first time since the World Cup.

Tuchel had talked about how important Palmer was to the team before this latest injury.

He said Palmer needed to “step up” when he returned and show he deserves to stay in the team.

3. Marcus Rashford

Rashford, who is on loan at Barcelona from Manchester United, is another big loss.

The forward was part of England’s World Cup squad and had been picked by Tuchel for the new Nations League before he had to pull out due to injury.

4. Kobbie Mainoo

Manchester United midfielder Mainoo has also withdrawn.

Tuchel praised the 21-year-old after the World Cup, saying: “I expect him to be on the pitch and it’s my duty to get him on the pitch.”

Tuchel added: “He didn’t put a foot wrong during the World Cup.”

Mainoo did not play as much as Tuchel wanted during the World Cup due to an injury before the match against France.

5. Tino Livramento

Newcastle United defender Livramento completes the list of five players.

He was part of the initial squad for the Nations League but is now out due to injury.

Livramento also missed part of the World Cup after suffering a calf injury in training. He was replaced by Trevoh Chalobah.

Two replacements called up

In response to these withdrawals, Tuchel has called up Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White and Everton midfielder James Garner.

Both players were set to join the team at St George’s Park on Tuesday. Garner has two senior caps, while Gibbs-White has six.

England will host Spain at Wembley on Saturday, September 26, in their first match of the 2026-27 Nations League.

The Three Lions will then face Czechia twice and take a trip to Croatia during the extended international window.