Image Credits: Imago Images
Liverpool will have eight players at the 2026 World Cup, representing six different nations across the tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
From Brazil to Japan and Sweden, Andoni Iraola’s squad will be scattered across North America chasing the biggest prize in international football.
The 2026 World Cup kicks off across three host countries, with the customary host nation in Mexico kicking off the group stage against South Africa on Thursday, 11 June.
Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, and Ryan Gravenberch (Netherlands)
Virgil van Dijk heads to the tournament as captain of the Netherlands and the leader of a back line that will be expected to go deep into the competition. The Dutch have been placed in a group that also includes Japan, meaning Van Dijk could directly face club teammate Wataru Endo during the group stage.
Cody Gakpo was in top form for his nation against Uzbekistan in their final pre-tournament friendly on Wednesday evening. Dutch media gave the Liverpool forward stellar ratings. Meanwhile, Jeremie Frimpong was unlucky to not recieve a call-up.
Netherlands group stage fixtures (all times in BST via liverpoolfc.com)
vs Japan – June 14, 9pm
vs Sweden – June 20, 6pm
vs Tunisia – June 26, 12am
Wataru Endo (Japan)
Wataru Endo travels as one of Japan’s senior figures and their captain. He faced a race against time to recover from a severe ankle injury sustained in February, but thankfully managed to get fit in time.
Japan’s group stage fixtures:
vs Netherlands – June 14, 9pm
vs Tunisia – June 21, 5am
v Sweden – June 26, 12am
Alexis Mac Allister (Argentina)
World champion Alexis Mac Allister returns to the World Cup stage with Argentina, this time as a more established figure. He is another Liverpool player who did not have the best 2025/26 season, and hopefully strong performances with his country could inject more confidence.
Argentina’s group stage fixtures”
vs Algeria – June 17, 2am
vs Austria – June 22, 6pm
vs Jordan – June 28, 3am
Florian Wirtz (Germany)
Florian Wirtz arrives at the World Cup with Germany as one of the most exciting young attacking midfielders at the tournament and a relatively new face for Liverpool fans following his move to Anfield. Germany manager Julian Naglesmann is a big fan of his, so expect Wirtz to feature heavily for the four-time World Cup champions.
His form for Germany has been good throughout the international break’s this past 2025/26 season.
Germany’s group stage fixtures:
vs Curacao – June 14, 6pm
vs Ivory Coast – June 20, 9pm
vs Ecuador – June 25, 9pm
Alexander Isak (Sweden)
The 26-year-old has put his fitness issues behind him and featured in each of Sweden’s two pre-tournament friendlies against Greece and Norway, scoring a wonderful goal in the latter. Isak has admitted he has “disconnected” from Liverpool to focus on his national team.
Sweden’s group stage fixtures:
vs Tunisia – June 15, 3am
vs Netherlands – June 20, 6pm
vs Japan – June 26, 12am
Alisson Becker (Brazil)
Liverpool’s No. 1 will once again be between the sticks for Brazil, where he remains first choice in a side packed with attacking talent. Brazil have been drawn in a group that includes Scotland, setting up a potential reunion with former Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson in the early stages.
He is another Liverpool player who has battled injuries to ensure he is fit for the global spectacle this month.
Brazil’s group stage fixtures are:
vs Morocco – June 13, 11pm
vs Haiti – June 20, 1.30am
vs Scotland – June 24, 11pm