Rio Ngumoha could feature for England in their Nations League clash against Czech Republic after the Liverpool winger was called into the matchday squad
STANSTED, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 28: Rio Ngumoha of England boards the plane as the England squad travel to Czech Republic on September 28, 2026 in Stansted, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Rio Ngumoha boards the plane as the England squad travel to Czech Republic(Image: Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
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Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha has been named in the England squad for tonight's match against Czech Republic in Prague (7.45pm kick-off).
The teenager was included in a full England squad for the first time by manager Thomas Tuchel for the four Nations League fixtures taking place across this three-week international break.
But Ngumoha was left out of the matchday squad for Saturday's 3-2 loss to world champions Spain at Wembley.
However, the 18-year-old will be involved this evening. He takes the place of Nico O'Reilly in Tuchel's matchday squad after the Manchester City left-back was ruled out through injury.
O'Reilly and Arsenal centre-back Ezri Konsa were the only members of Tuchel's 24-man squad who did not take part in the group training session at Tottenham Hotspur’s training ground on Monday ahead of their afternoon flight to Prague.
But while Konsa is expected to be passed fit, O'Reilly has not, giving Ngumoha the chance to win his second England cap.
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Tuchel said: “It was because of minor issues. But there are still issues.”
Ngumoha was one of five additional players that joined up with the Three Lions squad for a training camp in Florida before the World Cup in the summer.
And the youngster impressed enough to be handed his debut in the 1-0 friendly win over New Zealand with his livewire performance as a half-time substitute winning him the player-of-the-match award.
Now he could get his chance against the Czech Republic, who travel to Wembley for the return match on Tuesday, October 6.
After this evening's game, England make the trip to Rijeka to take on Croatia on Saturday.
Speaking ahead of the Nations League opener against Spain, Ngumoha said: “I've just got to come here and show what I can do to everyone and just make sure everyone just understands who I am.
"I'm not here just to be like a side part - I want to be a mainstay in the team and hopefully I can stay. But there's good competition everywhere. So it's about competing with the best players in the world now."
Florian Wirtz Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
After the double-header with Czech Republic and clash with Croatia, Ngumoha will return to Liverpool to prepare for the huge visit of Man City to Anfield on Sunday, October 11.
City will definitely be without Phil Foden through suspension after he was sent off in their derby win at Manchester United and, as well as O'Reilly, they have injury concerns over Antoine Semenyo, who last week was forced to pull out of the Ghana squad.
It will be the Etihad Stadium outfit's first match since it was widely reported that the club has been found guilty on almost all of the 115 charges relating to breaches of the Premier League's financial regulations.
Liverpool have injury concerns of their own with Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo both having picked up knocks while playing for their countries.
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