The 2026 World Cup is now just a matter of weeks away, and for some of Chelsea's best players, it will mean a summer of action following another gruelling campaign.
The Blues boast one of Europe's largest rosters so it will come as no surprise to see plenty of their players representing their countries in this summer's biggest international tournament.
In fact, a large portion of current first team players are expected to make their nation's final cuts, with two players already confirmed to be on the plane.
Chelsea could have one of the biggest World Cup contingents
This summer's World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will be the largest in history.
There will be a total of 48 nations competing on the world's biggest stage, including several of Chelsea's stars — even those from lesser-known nations — going head-to-head for football's ultimate prize.
Every Chelsea player expected at the 2026 World Cup
FIFA rules demand every nation to announce their final 26-man squad by June. Preliminary squads are allowed to be drafted and submitted but do not require official confirmation.
Several countries, including Belgium, France and Portugal, have already announced their squads, which include Mike Penders, Malo Gusto and Pedro Neto, with the rest expected imminently.
Here is a list of every Chelsea player we expected to be included in their nation's final World Cup squad.
Country | Player | Notes |
|---|---|---|
🇦🇷 Argentina | Alejandro Garnacho | Featured in three World Cup qualifiers. |
🇦🇷 Argentina | Enzo Fernandez | Part of the Argentina squad who won the 2022 World Cup. One of the nation's most important players. |
🇧🇪 Belgium | Mike Penders | Confirmed. |
🇪🇨 Ecuador | Kendry Paez | Featured in 12 World Cup qualifiers and scored in the game against Bolivia. |
🇪🇨 Ecuador | Moises Caicedo | Undoubtedly, Ecuador's most important player. He'll definitely be on the plane. |
🏴 England | Cole Palmer | Not had the best of seasons but Thomas Tuchel is still a big fan. |
🏴 England | Reece James | Arguably England's best right-back when fully fit. It will be almost-impossible for Tuchel to leave him out. |
🏴 England | Levi Colwill | Despite missing the majority of the season with an ACL injury, Colwill has performed excellently since returning last month. He has given Tuchel something to think about. |
🇫🇷 France | Malo Gusto | Confirmed. |
🇵🇹 Portugal | Pedro Neto | Confirmed. |
🇸🇳 Senegal | Mamadou Sarr | Played a part in Senegal's African Cup of Nations campaign. Wouldn't be a surprise to see him go to the World Cup. |
🇸🇳 Senegal | Nicolas Jackson | Even though he's been a back up to Harry Kane at Bayern Munich, Jackson has had a good season. He will lead Senegal's line in the summer. |
🇪🇸 Spain | Marc Cucurella | Part of Spain's European Championship winning team in 2024. Cucurella is certain to be Luis de la Fuente's first choice left-back again this summer. |
In total, we expect 13 Chelsea players to be in action at the 2026 World Cup.
As mentioned previously, at the time of writing, Penders, Gusto and Neto are the only ones confirmed but it won't be long before other nations make their official announcements.
When will Chelsea players be announced?
• 🇦🇷 Argentina - Lionel Scaloni has already begun trimming his preliminary squad down with his final squad announcement expected in the coming days.
• 🇪🇨 Ecuador - Sebastian Beccacece is not expected to name his final Ecuador squad until the May 30 deadline.
• 🏴 England - Tuchel is expected to announce his final England squad on May 22.
• 🇸🇳 Senegal - Pape Thiaw is set to announce his final Senegal squad on May 21.
• 🇪🇸 Spain - Luis de la Fuente is expected to announce his final Spain squad on May 25.
Every confirmed Chelsea player who is heading to the World Cup
As things stand, and prior to other national managers announcing their final 26-man squads, three Chelsea players — Penders, Gusto and Neto — have been selected for Belgium, France and Portugal, respectively.
Country | Player |
|---|---|
🇧🇪 Belgium | Mike Penders |
🇫🇷 France | Malo Gusto |
🇵🇹 Portugal | Pedro Neto |
Which countries are most heavily represented?
Barring any late surprises, Chelsea could have several representing their countries at the 2026 World Cup in North America.
Argentina (2), Ecudaor (2), England (3) and Senegal (2) are expected to be the four nations to include the most Chelsea players.
• Argentina - South American duo Alejandro Garnacho and Enzo Fernandez are both expected to make Argentina's final World Cup squad.
• Ecuador - Unsurprisingly, Moises Caicedo and Kendry Paez are certain to be included in Ecudaor's final World Cup squad having both played key roles in the country's qualification.
• England - Although not yet officially announced, Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill and Reece James could all make Tuchel's final 26-man England squad.
• Senegal - Having spent the season out on loan with Bayern Munich, Nicolas Jackson is set to play an important role for his country this summer. Mamadou Sarr is also likely to make the cut.
The biggest stars to watch at the World Cup
The 2026 World Cup will be littered with global superstars; as it should be, and for Chelsea, that means taking pride in some of their players being among the world's best.
Ecuador's Caicedo and Argentina's Fernandez are perhaps the two players who play the most important roles for their nations.
However, Palmer and James' influence on England cannot be understated. The pair are in with a great chance of making Tuchel's final 26-man squad — set to be announced on May 22 — and could be pivotol to the Three Lions going the whole way.
Young players who could break out in 2026
The youngest Chelsea expected to be in action this summer is 19-year-old Paez.
The young, versatile midfielder — currently on loan with River Plate — has been massive for Ecuador in recent times. He featured in plenty of qualifying matches and, along with Caicedo, will be expected to play a major role again.
Colwill is another young Chelsea player who could benefit from featuring in a World Cup tournament. The 23-year-old has endured a tough season, plagued by injury, but his recent return has seen him transform the Blues' backline.
Should Tuchel include Colwill in his final 26-man England squad, fans could see exactly why the Blues have had such high expectations following his emergence from the Cobham academy.
Players who have missed out on World Cup selection
• Estevao - His season-ending injury, suffered in April against Manchester United, has ruled him out of representing Brazil at this year's World Cup.
• Andrey Santos - He was also not selected by Carlo Ancelotti to be included in Brazil's final 26-man squad.
• Joao Pedro - Like Santos, Joao Pedro also missed out on Brazil's final World Cup squad. Neymar was controversially picked ahead of him.
• Romeo Lavia - He has not been included in Rudi Garcia's final Belgium squad.
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