Rice, Palmer, Rashford among five England stars ruled out vs Spain

England have been hit by five withdrawals ahead of their opening UEFA Nations League fixture against Spain at Wembley on Saturday.

Declan Rice, Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo and Tino Livramento have all withdrawn from Thomas Tuchel’s squad because of respective injury issues, the Football Association confirmed.

PUNCH Online on Wednesday reported that the confirmation was also noted on the English FA website late Monday.

The quintet were initially named in Tuchel’s 27-man squad for the extended international window, but their withdrawals have forced the England manager to make changes before the Three Lions begin their campaign.

Here are the five players who will miss the upcoming fixtures:

1. Declan Rice

Arsenal midfielder Rice is one of the most experienced players affected by the withdrawals.

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

His absence leaves England without one of their key midfield options for the opening fixtures.

2. Cole Palmer

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

Tuchel had spoken positively about Palmer’s importance to the team before the latest injury setback.

The England manager said Palmer would need to “step up” when he returned and produce the performances required to retain his place.

3. Marcus Rashford

Rashford, who joined Barcelona on loan from Manchester United, is another major absentee.

The forward was part of England’s World Cup squad and had been selected by Tuchel for the new Nations League campaign before withdrawing through injury.

4. Kobbie Mainoo

Manchester United midfielder Mainoo has also pulled out.

Tuchel had specifically 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.”

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

Mainoo was unable to feature in England’s World Cup campaign as much as Tuchel had hoped after an injury before the France match.

5. Tino Livramento

Newcastle United defender Livramento completes the five-man list.

He was part of England’s initial squad for the Nations League window but has since been ruled out with an injury.

Livramento also missed part of England’s World Cup campaign after suffering a calf injury in training before being replaced by Trevoh Chalobah.

Two replacements called up

Tuchel has responded to the withdrawals by calling up Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White and Everton midfielder James Garner.

The pair were due to report to St George’s Park on Tuesday with the rest of the squad. 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 campaign.

The Three Lions will then face Czechia twice, either side of a trip to Croatia, during the extended international window.