Trevoh Chalobah has always believed he would play for England at a World Cup. In July 2018, the Chelsea centre-half posted on social media: 'One day … believe,' alongside a picture of the World Cup trophy. Now, seven years later, that prediction has come true in dramatic fashion.
Last-Minute Call-Up in Times Square
Chalobah did not expect to be part of Thomas Tuchel's squad for the 2026 World Cup in North America after being omitted from the initial selection. However, everything changed last Monday when Tino Livramento sustained a calf injury in training, forcing his withdrawal. Chalobah was on holiday in New York with a friend, having previously attended the Monaco Grand Prix and visited Cannes before heading to the Big Apple. He did not see Tuchel's message for two hours while walking around Times Square. 'My heart just dropped,' Chalobah said. 'I knew straight away.' Tuchel video-called him, smiling, and said: 'I have got some good news for you.'
From Holiday to World Cup Camp
Chalobah immediately flew from New York to Kansas City, where England are based, arriving after the squad's 4-2 win against Croatia in their opening match. He had given away his boots at the end of the season and had to rush a shipment from his sponsors. 'I had to speed up the process when I got called up,' he said. He missed England's hot-weather preparation camp in Florida and worked individually before joining full training on Saturday. 'As athletes you always have to be mentally ready,' Chalobah added. 'I was switching off and recovering but I've been used to this last-minute stuff throughout my career.'
Chalobah's Journey and Resilience
Chalobah's career has been marked by loans at Ipswich, Huddersfield, and Lorient, as well as uncertainty at Chelsea. In 2024, the club stripped him of his shirt number and placed him in the 'bomb squad' of players they wanted to sell, eventually loaning him to Crystal Palace. He was recalled in January 2025 to address an injury crisis. 'I know the player I am,' he said. 'I know how far I've come. I can't allow those moments to define me. I have faith. I believe I can play a big part at this World Cup.' His Christian faith is central: 'That's what I build on. No matter what happens, I know I have a foundation.'
Tuchel's Faith in Chalobah
Tuchel's decision to replace Livramento, a full-back, with Chalobah, a centre-half, has raised questions. Alternatives like Myles Lewis-Skelly, Lewis Hall, Trent Alexander-Arnold, or Harry Maguire were considered. Tuchel had reservations about Maguire's ability to be an unselfish support player and stated in March that Chalobah was ahead of Maguire 'on the level of mobility.' Jarell Quansah is expected to provide cover at full-back, while Chalobah competes at right centre-half. Tuchel gave Chalobah his Chelsea debut in August 2021 and tried to sign him for Bayern Munich in 2023. 'Yeah, he tried to bring me to Bayern,' Chalobah confirmed. Tuchel also gave him his England debut against Senegal last June, his only cap so far.
Dream Realised
Chalobah reposted his 2018 tweet after the call-up. 'It has always been a dream,' he said. 'This is the No 1 moment of my career, especially because I didn't expect it. That is the beautiful thing. To get a call like that shows that when you think all is lost … that tweet came true.' He is still trying to get a refund for his non-refundable Los Angeles hotel, adding with a smile: 'I'm still trying to get my money back.'
