Premier League players to withdraw from international duty: list of stars forced out of national teams with injury

During the combined September and October international break, players from around the globe will travel across oceans to convene with their national teams for continental competition.

Many of the world's top players star for Premier League clubs in England, with a huge collection of talent centered in the game's most visible domestic competition.

While many players are looking forward to the extended, three-week international break to join up with their country to compete in continental competition or friendlies, some players had their national team dreams cut short this fall.

The Sporting News brings you a look at the players contracted to Premier League clubs who were forced to rest and recover through the international break due to recent injuries picked up that left them sidelined for the three-week period.

Players to withdraw from international duty in September, October

Unsurprisingly, Declan Rice has turned down a call-up from England as he continues to deal with the nerve pain that left him struggling for fitness throughout last season and into the World Cup. He has been managing this problem for quite some time, despite playing significant minutes over the past few years for both club and country.

They are already down France international William Saliba who continues to recover from a back problem exacerbated during the World Cup and will not be available for the foreseeable future.

England star Cole Palmer has been forced out of Thomas Tuchel's squad after feeling a minor muscle problem. Load management has also been cited by some reports, indicating that whatever is ailing the Blues playmaker, he is clearly feeling the weight of the minutes he's played so far this season, after struggling through an injury all of the 2025/26 campaign.

Striker Joao Pedro was also deemed unable to pass fit for Brazil duty after picking up a slight knee injury that kept him sidelined for their Premier League match just before the international break.

Benjamin Sesko has pulled out of national team duty with Slovenia after his recurring shin injury flared up.

Also forced to stay home is England duo Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo , with the former picking up groin and hip problems against Fulham before the international break, and the latter due to an unspecified injury.

After sustaining a calf injury during pre-World Cup training that kept him out of the summer tournament, England full-back Tino Livramento has not passed fit to accept a call-up to the England squad, after suffering a setback in training before his season debut for Newcastle on Saturday, forcing him out of the squad.

Spain full-back Pedro Porro was one of the best players for his national team in their World Cup title run this past summer, but he picked up a hamstring injury on the weekend as Spurs fell to Aston Villa , and will miss international duty.