Chelsea have a total of 11 players heading to North America for the World Cup this summer, some who have been a part of the first team squad during the season and others who have spent it on loan elsewhere.
The tournament begins in Mexico as South Africa takes on Mexico, one of the three host nations for the 2026 iteration, although the first Chelsea players to take to the pitch will be those representing Ecuador in their opening match against Ivory Coast.
Although there are lots of Blues to keep an eye on during the tournament, there are also several who missed out on selection.
Estêvão’s hamstring keeps him out of the Brazil squad despite a strong debut season in the Premier League, while his compatriots Andrey Santos and João Pedro have also been left out of the squad.
Cole Palmer is another notable absence, having been left out of the England squad after a season of mixed fortunes for Chelsea’s number 10.
Ecuador
Group E vs Ivory Coast, Curacao & Germany
Moises Caicedo
Chelsea’s player of the season in 2025 is set to play a major role in an Ecuador side who have the potential to be one of the biggest success stories of the tournament.
As a more defensive minded midfielder, Caicedo was a big part of their impressive showing in the qualifying phase where they conceded five goals and only finished second to Argentina in CONMEBOL’s league format.
Ecuador’s final group stage match against Germany has the potential to present some fascinating midfield battles where he could be up against some other young stars like Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz and Lennart Karl.
Caicedo has taken on a leadership role at Chelsea over the last year or two and is in a similar position at national team level. He is the second most capped player in their official squad with 60 and has scored three goals for Ecuador, including one at the World Cup in 2022.
FOTO: Caicedo scored against Senegal at the 2022 World Cup. Source: Issouf Sanogo - AFP.
Kendry Páez
This season has been a difficult one for Páez who, at just 19, left Ecuador for loan spells at Strasbourg and River Plate - although he struggled for significant minutes at both clubs.
Regardless, Ecuador coach Sebastián Beccacece has continued to show faith in him and has handed him the number 10 shirt for the World Cup.
At his best, Páez is certainly capable of bringing a spark to the attack for a side who typically struggle to create lots of chances.
Two years ago he was already playing a key role at Copa America, where, at just 17 years old, he started every game for Ecuador until they were knocked out by Argentina in the quarter-finals.
Netherlands
Group F vs Japan, Sweden & Tunisia
Jorrel Hato
One of the few bright sparks at Chelsea toward the end of the season was rewarded with a callup to a very talented Dutch defence.
Hato has been trusted in some big international games since making his debut in 2023, such as last year’s Nations League quarter-final against Spain.
That said, he faces some fierce competition for minutes at both left-back and centre-back, with the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Micky van de Ven and Nathan Ake all travelling to North America.
While he may not be expected to see too many minutes, the World Cup still represents an ideal opportunity for the 20 year old to learn under minimal pressure and surrounded by experienced veterans at his first major tournament.
Belgium
Group G vs Egypt, Iran & New Zealand
Mike Penders
Chelsea’s goalkeeping situation next season is still up in the air, however, there remains a chance for Penders to take over the number one spot. If he does, it will be off the back of learning from one of Chelsea’s best ever goalkeepers, Thibaut Courtois.
Penders is another who is extremely unlikely to play a minute at the World Cup, especially since he is yet to be capped at senior level.
He joins Courtois and Manchester United ‘keeper Senne Lammens in the Belgian squad, having been favoured ahead of Matz Sels by coach Rudi Garcia.
Spain
Group H vs Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia & Uruguay
Marc Cucurella
Having played a big part in the Euro 2024 victory, Cucurella will likely continue as the starting left-back for Spain - despite competition from a more attacking minded full-back in Alejandro Grimaldo.
FOTO: Cucurella won the Euros with Spain in 2024. Source: Michael Regan - UEFA.
There have been lots of ups and downs for Cucurella throughout the season, however, he has maintained the habit of performing in big games against some of the best wingers in the world, which could be crucial for Spain during the World Cup.
Speculation continues around Cucurella’s place at Chelsea with several rumours linking him with a move back to his homeland.
It is possible that he may have joined either Barcelona or Atlético Madrid; both very well represented in the Spanish contingent.
France
Group I vs Senegal, Iraq & Norway
Malo Gusto
Gusto played his first match for France in 2023 but did not play for his country at all the following year. Eventually, he was selected again for the final stage of the Nations League in 2025 and earned a start in the third place playoff vs Germany.
Since then, he and Jules Koundé have shared the right-back position with Gusto typically starting one game each international break.
However, Koundé will likely be favoured at the tournament given the varied skillset he offers, although Didier Deschamps may be particularly interested in the Barcelona player’s defensive strengths.
Regardless, Gusto is capable of bringing a lot of energy to the team and should be able to play his part from the bench in some games.
Senegal
Group I vs France, Norway & Iraq
Mamadou Sarr
2025/26 has been a tumultuous season for Sarr who started off on loan at Strasbourg before he was recalled to Chelsea in January to provide defensive backup, without playing many minutes for the team.
At national team level, however, it was a successful year for him. He stepped in at a crucial moment during AFCON, when Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly got injured, and produced an excellent performance in the final.
With Koulibaly available to play at the tournament, he is expected to return to a squad role but could play at either centre-back or right-back if given the chance.
He is the youngest defender in their squad this year but looks to be a key player for Senegal in the not so distant future and, therefore, stands to gain some extremely valuable experience at his first World Cup.
Nicolas Jackson
Jackson has played backup to Harry Kane throughout the 2025/26 season after he fell out of favour at Chelsea while Enzo Maresca was in charge. He scored 11 goals all in for the German champions and is set to be the starting striker for Senegal this summer.
There are a variety of attacking players available to Senegal, including veterans like Sadio Mané and some young stars, with Jackson being one of them.
They have shown themselves to be a well rounded team with a good record of clean sheets and goalscoring, last failing to score 12 matches ago against Brazil.
With a lot of creative options in the squad, Jackson should be well positioned to showcase his talents on the biggest stage.
Argentina
Group J vs Algeria, Austria & Jordan
Enzo Fernandez
In 2022, Fernandez won the award for Best Young Player at the World Cup and signed for Chelsea shortly after. Four years later, and his future is up in the air going into a tournament again, but he enters this time as a far more experienced player.
FOTO: Enzo Fernandez enjoyed an extremely successful tournament in 2022. Source: Kirill Kudryavtsev - AFP.
Following Argentina’s shock defeat to Saudi Arabia in the opening game, Fernandez started the rest of their matches, up until their final victory over France.
He can be expected to do the same at this summer’s tournament, where is capable of providing a more creative and technical presence alongside Rodrigo De Paul, who is likely to partner him.
In the four years since his World Cup debut, Chelsea’s vice-captain has developed as a goalscorer and a leader. He has stepped up in some of the biggest moments for Chelsea and appears ready to do the same for his country.
Portugal
Group K vs DR Congo, Uzbekistan & Colombia
Pedro Neto
Neto attended his first major tournament with Portugal in 2024 at the Euros, but this will be his first experience of a World Cup.
Throughout the qualifying stages, he made a few starts but was largely a bench option, able to offer something different to the team with pace as his biggest asset in a team full of technical players who prefer the ball to their feet.
He was still a Wolves player when he attended the Euros two years ago and had been struggling with injuries for several years.
However, his availability has improved a lot since signing for Chelsea later that summer, which has helped to bring him more opportunities at international level.
England
Group L vs Croatia, Ghana & Panama
Reece James
Another player whose injury issues have kept him away from the biggest stage, James is finally going to his first World Cup with England.
Chelsea’s club captain is set to start at right-back for his former club manager, Thomas Tuchel, likely with a more defensive assignment than the one he was given in the club’s Champions League winning campaign under Tuchel.
While he has missed some time through injury this season, James’ reliability has improved a lot in recent times, especially since managers at club and country have begun to be more cautious with his playing time.
At the World Cup, he may be required to play more frequently but also has fellow Cobham graduate Tino Livramento available to take his place if necessary.