Chelsea forward Cole Palmer will miss England's upcoming Nations League fixtures after withdrawing due to a muscle injury. The 24‑year‑old had been recalled to the squad following his omission from the World Cup, but will now sit out the international break.
Chelsea forward Cole Palmer is set to pull out of England's squad for the forthcoming Nations League matches after a muscle‑related injury was identified during load‑management checks, according to reports from Rotowire on 21 September 2026 (source 1). The decision follows his full‑90‑minute appearance in Chelsea's 3‑0 loss to Brentford on Friday, after which medical staff recommended he sit out the international break.
Palmer has enjoyed a strong start to the 2026‑27 campaign, recording four goals and two assists in seven appearances across all competitions for the Blues (source 1). His performances earned him a recall to the national team after being left out of the World Cup squad, a move that manager Thomas Tuchel reportedly welcomed as a chance for the forward to prove his worth.
England now face a packed Nations League schedule, with fixtures against Spain, the Czech Republic and Croatia ahead. Palmer's withdrawal means he will miss the extended break in which England play four games, and he remains unavailable for selection until his fitness is confirmed. His last appearance for the Three Lions came in a 1‑0 friendly defeat to Japan in March, and the squad will have to adjust without his attacking option for the upcoming matches.