There is plenty of interest for Liverpool fans as the World Cup reaches the knockout stages this week, with eight current Reds in action as well as a few potential transfer targets
06:00, 29 Jun 2026
Alisson, Florian Wirtz and Yan Diomande are among those in action in the World Cup knockout stages
Alisson, Florian Wirtz and Yan Diomande are among those in action in the World Cup knockout stages(Image: Getty Images)
The World Cup moves up a gear this week as the knockout stages begin, with plenty of Liverpool interest as the last-32 stage gets underway.
Co-hosts Canada became the first team to book their place in the last-16 of the World Cup on Sunday with a 1-0 win over South Africa, and 15 more countries will be joining it over the next few days, with some familiar faces hoping to be among them.
Eight current Liverpool players - including the club’s newest addition - have made it to the knockout stages, while a few former Reds will be aiming to go further into the tournament, as well as a few potential future signings.
Here is the lowdown on when each Liverpool player - and others to keep an eye on - will be in action during the last-32 of the World Cup…
Alisson Becker
Liverpool's No. 1 goalkeeper Alisson Becker is the first of the Reds in action during the knockout stages, with Brazil taking on Japan after topping Group C. That game would have also seen Wataru Endo in action, had it not been for the midfielder picking up an injury on the eve of the tournament and subsequently announcing his international retirement.
The game kicks off in Houston on Monday, June 29, at 6 p.m. U.K. time — that's 1 p.m. ET and 10 a.m. PT in the U.S..
Florian Wirtz
Following shortly after Alisson is Florian Wirtz, who will be hoping to guide Germany past Paraguay. After a mixed first season at Liverpool, the 23-year-old will hope he can pick up some form at this summer's tournament, although reviews of his performances so far have been mixed.
Kick-off in Boston is on Monday, June 29, at 9:30 p.m. U.K. time — that's 4:30 p.m. ET and 1:30 p.m. PT in the U.S..
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JUNE 14: Virgil van Dijk #4 of Netherlands reacts after the 2-2 draw during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F match between Netherlands and Japan at Dallas Stadium on June 14, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Maja Hitij - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Virgil van Dijk will be hoping to guide the Netherlands past Morocco(Image: Getty Images)
Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo
The Netherlands boasts more Liverpool stars than any other country at the tournament, with Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, and Cody Gakpo having all earned a call-up. They take on Morocco in the last-32, although there may be doubts over Gakpo's involvement after he and his partner announced the sad death of their baby son during pregnancy.
This looks set to be a thrilling game, with kick-off in Monterrey on Tuesday, June 30, at 2 a.m. for U.K. viewers. For those in the U.S., the game will be at 9 p.m. ET and 6 p.m. PT on June 29.
Alexander Isak
Despite a heavy defeat to his Dutch Liverpool teammates in the group stages, Alexander Isak will be in the knockout stages as Sweden faces the daunting task of taking on France.
That game in New Jersey takes place on Tuesday, June 30, with kick-off at 10 pm U.K. time — that's 5 p.m. ET and 2 p.m. PT in the U.S..
Victor Munoz is yet to make an appearance at this year's World Cup
Victor Munoz is yet to make an appearance at this year's World Cup(Image: Photo By Irina R. Hipolito/Europa Press via Getty Images)
Victor Munoz
The first signing of the Andoni Iraola era is yet to make an appearance at the tournament thus far, with Victor Munoz having struggled with an injury during the group stage. He could get the chance to shine in the last-32, though, as Spain takes on Austria.
The game in Los Angeles takes place on Thursday, July 2, at 8 p.m. U.K. time — that's 3 p.m. ET and 12 noon PT in the U.S.
Alexis Mac Allister
Argentina breezed through the group stage, winning each of their three games while only conceding one goal, with Lionel Messi inevitably proving to be the star with six goals already in the tournament. He and Alexis Mac Allister will now be plotting a way past surprise package Cape Verde in the first knockout round.
That game in Miami kicks off on Friday, July 3, at 11 pm U.K. time — that's 6 p.m. ET and 3 p.m. PT in the U.S..
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Other players to keep an eye on
There are plenty of other players to keep an eye on, with former Reds and potential transfer targets no doubt set to catch the attention of Liverpool supporters.
Yan Diomande has, of course, dealt a major blow to the Reds' hopes of signing him after deciding he would prefer a move to Paris Saint-Germain this summer. He's in action as the Ivory Coast takes on Norway in Dallas on Tuesday, June 30 (6 p.m. U.K., 1 p.m. ET, and 10 a.m. PT in the U.S.).
Bradley Barcola will be seen as the obvious alternative to Diomande — he'll be in action along with former Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate in the aforementioned game between France and Sweden.
Bradley Barcola of France
Bradley Barcola could be Liverpool's next target(Image: Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)
Two more potential alternatives could also be in action this week, with Crysencio Summerville vying to start alongside the Reds' Dutch trio in the Netherlands' game against Morocco, while Matias Fernandez-Pardo comes up against Sadio Mane as Belgium faces Senegal in Seattle on Wednesday, July 1 (9 p.m. U.K., 4 p.m. ET, and 1 p.m. PT in the U.S.).
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Elsewhere, Mohamed Salah and Jarell Quansah will be hoping they can recover from injury in time, with the former aiming to captain Egypt against Australia in Dallas on Friday, July 3 (7 p.m. U.K., 2 p.m. ET and 11 a.m. PT) while the latter will be with England as it takes in DR Congo in Atlanta on Wednesday, July 1 (5 p.m. U.K., 12 noon ET, and 9 a.m. PT).
Finally, Luis Diaz will be hoping to fire Colombia to victory over Ghana, with the two sides meeting in Kansas City at the weekend (Saturday, July 4 at 2:30 a.m. U.K. and Friday, July 3 at 9:30 p.m. ET and 6:30 p.m. PT in the U.S.).