Here are the players confirmed to have pulled out of their squads ahead of the 2026 September international break.
The September 2026 international break has been hit by a number of high-profile withdrawals, with several players pulling out of their national team squads due to injuries and fitness concerns.
England are among the hardest hit, with five players withdrawing from Thomas Tuchel’s squad ahead of their upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures.
Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer pulled out as a precaution due to load management, while Arsenal’s Declan Rice was ruled out to allow him rest a long-term hamstring issue.
Manchester United duo Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo have also withdrawn. Rashford is managing an ongoing hip problem, while Mainoo dropped out because of an unspecified injury.
Newcastle United defender Tino Livramento completes England’s list of withdrawals after suffering an injury during club training.
Everton’s James Garner and Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White have subsequently been called up as replacements.
For Italy, Roma midfielder Bryan Cristante withdrew from the national team squad after suffering an unspecified physical problem following a league fixture against Inter Milan. Como midfielder Samuele Ricci was called up in his place.
Brazil have also been affected, with João Pedro withdrawing from the squad due to injury concerns.
Nigeria will meanwhile be without star striker Victor Osimhen, who was ruled out of the upcoming qualifiers after failing to recover from a right adductor muscle strain.
Osimhen has been replaced in the Super Eagles squad by Coventry City forward Taiwo Awoniyi.
Players withdrawn from the September 2026 international break
- England: Cole Palmer, Declan Rice, Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo, Tino Livramento
- Italy: Bryan Cristante
- Brazil: João Pedro
- Nigeria: Victor Osimhen