Chalobah joins England squad after Guehi injury, stepping in ahead of final World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Serbia

Chalobah joins England squad as the Chelsea defender prepares to replace Marc Guehi, who has been ruled out with a foot injury ahead of England’s final 2026 World Cup qualifying fixtures.

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According to BBC Sport on Tuesday, the 26-year-old is expected to link up with Gareth Southgate’s side before matches against Albania and Serbia.

Although the call-up has yet to be formally confirmed, Chalobah is understood to be on standby to fill the defensive gap.

England have already sealed qualification for next summer’s tournament but will be looking to end their campaign strongly as Southgate assesses his options ahead of the Euros.

Chalobah first joined the senior national set-up under Thomas Tuchel in May and made his debut against Senegal.

Despite being overlooked in recent months, Tuchel has long been an influential figure in his development, having handed him his Chelsea debut in 2021.

In September, Tuchel described Chalobah as “unfortunate” to have missed out on previous squads for the Andorra and Serbia qualifiers, as well as the October international break.

The defender has since reasserted himself at Stamford Bridge, playing in all but four matches this season across competitions.

With Chelsea currently third in the Premier League and advancing in both the Carabao Cup and Champions League, Chalobah’s consistency has strengthened his case for a recall.

Meanwhile, England’s injury list continues to grow. Guehi sustained his foot injury during Crystal Palace’s Europa Conference League victory over AZ Alkmaar last week.

Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon and goalkeeper Nick Pope are also set to withdraw due to fitness concerns, with further squad adjustments expected.

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The Chalobah joins England squad development adds fresh depth to Southgate’s defensive options, as England aim to maintain form and focus heading into next year’s tournament.