Ian Wright believes Newcastle United star Tino Livramento should start for England at the 2026 World Cup.
The 23-year-old defender is hoping to be part of Thomas Tuchel’s squad, and his ability to play at right-back and left-back makes him an appealing option for the England manager.
Left-back is a problem position for the Three Lions, with Lewis Hall and Myles Lewis-Skelly in contention to start.
However, Ian Wright has backed Hall’s Newcastle United teammate to get the nod.
Lewis Hall not mentioned in England left-back debate
Speaking on the latest episode of the Stick To Football podcast, the panel of Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, Ian Wright, Roy Keane and Wayne Rooney have debated who should be England’s left-back at the 2026 World Cup.
Tino Livramento was named as a contender, and was Wright’s pick to be in the XI. All the while, Lewis Hall was totally ignored by every single former Premier League star.
Neville: “Who starts at left back? Obviously he’s got Livramento, he’s got Myles Lewis-Skelly, he’s got Nico O’Reilly, he’s got Djed Spence. I think he’s going for Djed Spence.”
Wright: “I think Livramento. I think he’d go for Livramento.”
Carragher: “You want a left-footer.”
Wright: “Even with Myles backing him up, I’m not just saying that, he can invert as well, but like, I think he’d go with Livramento.”
Rooney also backed Livramento, who has played for England three times in his career so far.
- Who is Tino Livramento? All you need to know about Newcastle United’s flying full-back
What Lewis Hall’s priority should be after Newcastle United return
The fact Hall has been ignored feels harsh. Fortunately, the likes of Neville and Carragher are not picking the England squad.
That honour belongs to Tuchel, who is going to speak to Hall about what he must do to get in the England squad.
The likely answer is to play regularly for Newcastle United, which is not something he has done since the start of the year. That has been because of injury, with the 21-year-old undergoing foot surgery then suffering a hamstring problem.
- Who is Lewis Hall? Newcastle United’s star left-back who is destined for England greatness
Reminder: Paul Mitchell once thought that Newcastle United overspent on Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall.
But Hall is fully fit now, and there is an opportunity for him to reclaim his place in Eddie Howe’s starting XI. With Dan Burn suspended, Hall feels destined to start against Manchester City.
If he can play well enough to make himself undroppable, he will have a platform to prove to Tuchel and everyone else why he should be England’s left-back at the 2026 World Cup.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
