Chalobah Receives Late England Call for World Cup

Trevoh Chalobah has been drafted into England’s 2026 World Cup squad after a calf injury ruled out a former Chelsea Academy defender on the eve of the tournament.

The change comes under FIFA rules that allow nations to replace an outfield player up to 24 hours before their opening game. England have moved quickly, turning to a player who has quietly waited for his chance.

Chalobah, 26, owns just one senior cap, earned in a friendly against Senegal almost exactly a year ago. It was a brief glimpse of his international potential; now he walks straight into the pressure cooker of a World Cup group stage.

He joins club team-mate Reece James in the squad, bolstering the Chelsea influence in a dressing room gearing up for a demanding start in Group L.

England open their campaign against Croatia at Dallas Stadium on Wednesday 17 June, with kick-off at 9pm (UK). A meeting with Ghana in Boston follows on Tuesday 23 June, also under the lights at 9pm.

For Chalobah, it is a late call, but a huge one. The next time he pulls on an England shirt, it may well be on the biggest stage the sport can offer.