Chelsea forward Cole Palmer has withdrawn from England’s squad for the opening four matches of the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League after suffering a muscle injury, according to Sky Sports.
The 24-year-old was recalled by England manager Thomas Tuchel on Friday, September 18, after being left out of the Three Lions’ 2026 World Cup squad. However, he will now miss the team’s September and October international fixtures.
Sky Sports reported on Monday that “Cole Palmer is withdrawing from the England squad because of a muscle injury.”
Palmer played the full 90 minutes for Chelsea in their 3-0 Premier League defeat to Brentford on Friday, the same day Tuchel named him in his 27-man England squad.
The forward had made an impressive start to the new campaign before the setback, scoring four goals and providing two assists in seven appearances for Chelsea, Sky Sports reported.
His withdrawal comes only days after Tuchel gave him a route back into the England setup following his World Cup omission.
Explaining his decision to recall Palmer, Tuchel said: “Cole has his numbers back. Assists, decisive goals. I think he has a point to prove.”
Palmer had also spoken to Sky Sports about his fitness before the latest injury, saying: “Physically I feel good, probably the best I’ve felt in ages, but I think I can [get fitter] with games and more minutes.”
He added: “Since I’ve come back I’ve been working every day to obviously stop it happening again. I just want to stay injury free, and if I’m on the pitch then I know what I can do.”
Chelsea’s official website had initially listed Palmer among the club’s players called up for international duty, confirming that he had been recalled by Tuchel for the start of England’s Nations League campaign.
England were scheduled to host Spain at Wembley on Saturday, September 26, at 7:45pm before travelling to Prague to face Czechia on Tuesday, September 29, also at 7:45pm.
The Three Lions will then travel to Croatia for their third group match on Saturday, October 3, with kick-off set for 5pm, before hosting Czechia at Wembley on Tuesday, October 6, at 7:45pm.
Palmer’s withdrawal leaves Tuchel with another decision to make in attack after the England manager recalled the Chelsea forward only three days earlier.
Tuchel made eight changes to his squad following the World Cup, with Palmer and Real Madrid defender Trent Alexander-Arnold among the notable returnees.
Palmer’s latest injury setback follows a disrupted 2025-26 season, when fitness issues contributed to his omission from England’s World Cup squad.
England will now prepare for their opening Nations League fixture against newly crowned world champions Spain without the Chelsea playmaker.
Chelsea also confirmed Palmer’s withdrawal in a statement on the club’s website.
“Wesley Fofana, Cole Palmer and Omari Kellyman have withdrawn from international duty this month after being called up by France, England and England Under-20s respectively.
“Fofana and Palmer will instead focus on their fitness at Cobham, while Kellyman has suffered a hamstring injury,” the club wrote on its website.
