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Premier League champions for the 2025/2026 season, Arsenal, are set to be among the clubs with the largest player representation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The North London club will send at least 16 of its players to represent their respective nations in the tournament, which will take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The 2026 World Cup will mark the first edition featuring 48 participating nations, scheduled to kick off on 12 June 2026.

All teams have confirmed their 26-man squads, and several Arsenal stars have earned places thanks to their outstanding performances throughout the past season.

England’s national team will have the highest number of Arsenal players. The Three Lions have called up four Gunners — Noni Madueke, Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze, and Bukayo Saka.

Among these names, Declan Rice stands out as the most prominent figure.

The 27-year-old midfielder played a key role in helping Arsenal end their long wait for a Premier League title.

Throughout the 2025/2026 campaign, Rice was consistently the driving force in Arsenal’s midfield.

In 36 Premier League appearances, he recorded four goals and seven assists, establishing himself as one of the most influential players in Mikel Arteta’s squad.

The four Arsenal players representing England are also considered strong contenders to chase the world title.

According to Opta’s projections, England are among the top favourites to win the tournament, boasting a 10.92 percent chance of lifting the trophy.

This places England as the third-most likely champions, behind Spain with a 16.23 percent chance and France at 12.84 percent.

Additional Arsenal players such as Tommy Setford, Ethan Nwaneri, Reiss Nelson, Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Ben White have also been named in England’s extended national team setup.

Beyond England, Arsenal have also contributed players to several other major national sides.

Spain have called up three Arsenal players — Mikel Merino, Martin Zubimendi, and first-choice goalkeeper David Raya.

Meanwhile, France’s defensive line will feature William Saliba, who is Arsenal’s sole representative in the Les Bleus squad.

England have been drawn into Group L and will begin their campaign against Croatia on 18 June. They will then face Ghana six days later and conclude the group stage against Panama on 28 June.

Given the team’s depth and the relative strength of their opponents, England are expected to advance comfortably to the knockout rounds.

Opta’s model even gives The Three Lions a 95.91 percent probability of progressing past the group stage.

Football analyst Gigih Windar Pratama from Semarang believes England should at least reach the quarterfinals.

“At the very least, they should make it to the quarterfinals,” Gigih Windar Pratama told Tribunnews on Wednesday (3 June 2026).

“If they reach the semifinals, it will depend on how the knockout bracket unfolds and who they face after the group stage.”

“When compared with other nations — for instance, Spain are already well-structured with a strong squad. Then there’s France, Argentina, and Portugal,” he added.

“Reaching the World Cup final will be tough, but again, it depends on England’s knockout bracket. That could be a crucial factor,” Gigih concluded.

On the other hand, Arsenal’s heavy involvement in the World Cup could impact their pre-season preparations ahead of the new campaign.

The tournament’s packed schedule may result in limited rest time for players before returning to club duties.

So far, Arsenal have confirmed only one pre-season friendly — against Real Betis on 5 August. Following that, the Gunners will face Manchester City in the Community Shield on 16 August, marking the start of the 2026/2027 competitive season.

With many players potentially advancing deep into the World Cup, Arsenal’s management are expected to carefully plan fitness programs to ensure the squad remains in peak condition when domestic competitions resume.

Arsenal’s 16 Representatives at the 2026 World Cup

Goalkeeper: David Raya (Spain)

Defenders: Gabriel Magalhaes (Brazil), William Saliba (France), Piero Hincapie (Colombia), Jurrien Timber (Netherlands)

Midfielders: Martin Odegaard (Norway), Mikel Merino (Spain), Martin Zubimendi (Spain), Declan Rice (England), Eberechi Eze (England)

Forwards: Gabriel Martinelli (Brazil), Bukayo Saka (England), Kai Havertz (Germany), Leandro Trossard (Belgium), Viktor Gyokeres (Sweden), Noni Madueke (England)

(Tribunnews.com/Ali. Sina)