From a potential Alisson vs Mac Allister semi-final to a brutal Dutch bracket, here are the exact World Cup knockout routes facing Liverpool’s eight stars.
Liverpool currently have eight players featuring at the World Cup across the USA, Canada, and Mexico. New signing Victor Munoz joins the ranks, and every single one of them has now secured passage to the high-stakes knockout rounds.
The newly expanded 32-team knockout bracket guarantees a long summer of tournament football for the Anfield contingent. Now that the first hurdle lies behind them, the absolute reality of their routes to the final comes into sharp focus.
Six different nations contain the eight Liverpool stars, meaning several teammates find themselves on an inevitable collision course for football’s ultimate prize.
Tragedy strikes Cody Gakpo amid difficult Dutch bracket
Liverpool supporters looking for a temporary second home this summer have gravitated toward the Netherlands, who boast a formidable Anfield spine. Cody Gakpo, Ryan Gravenberch, and captain Virgil van Dijk all performed exceptionally well to help the Oranje top Group F.
However, a devastating personal tragedy has overshadowed the tournament’s footballing matters. Gakpo and his partner, Noa van der Bij, announced the heartbreaking passing of their unborn son, Elijah Raphael Gakpo, during the pregnancy.
? Cody Gakpo and his girlfriend Noa van der Bij have shared that their baby boy sadly passed away during the pregnancy. pic.twitter.com/LSjGKWFdBV
— The Touchline | ? (@TouchlineX) June 27, 2026
The forward understandably requested privacy and space during an incredibly painful time for his family. In a show of immense strength, Gakpo has decided to remain with Ronald Koeman’s squad in North America, receiving total emotional support from the Dutch Football Association, his staff, and his teammates.
On the pitch, a brutal bracket awaits the Dutch despite winning their group. They face a highly dangerous Round of 32 clash against Morocco. Should they navigate past the top-ranked African side, the path clears up significantly with a Round of 16 meeting against either South Africa or Canada
The true test materialises in the quarter-finals, where standard tournament heavyweights France or Germany will surely wait. With Spain and Portugal lingering as potential semi-final obstacles, the Dutch trio must mount a monumental effort to reach the showpiece final.
Florian Wirtz faces blockbuster France collision course
The left side of the draw promises no easy rides, and Germany will already have one eye on a box-office Round of 16 showdown. Florian Wirtz and his international teammates must first navigate a Round of 32 fixture against Paraguay, a side no longer possessing the fear factor of yesteryear.
Barring a colossal upset, the Germans will advance to face France in the next round. Didier Deschamps’ team must handle Alexander Isak’s Sweden in their own opening knockout match, but few pundits expect Graham Potter’s side to halt the 2018 champions.
Victory for France or Germany would then set up a mouthwatering quarter-final against Van Dijk’s Netherlands, perfectly intertwining the paths of Liverpool’s European elites.
Victor Munoz waits on fitness for potential Portuguese battle
The final Anfield representative occupying the grueling left side of the draw is new recruit Victor Munoz. Spain face Austria in the Round of 32, but an ongoing injury has completely sidelined Munoz under Luis de la Fuente so far.
The winger targets the Round of 16 for his competitive return, where Spain will likely battle Portugal, assuming Roberto Martinez’s men defeat Croatia. A win over their Iberian rivals would open up a highly favourable quarter-final tie against Belgium, Senegal, the USA, or Bosnia and Herzegovina, before a potential semi-final war against France or the Netherlands.
Alisson and Mac Allister eye massive South American semi-final
Shifting to the right side of the draw, both Alisson Becker and Alexis Mac Allister will already smell a potential blockbuster semi-final showdown in Atlanta.
Argentina enjoy arguably the smoothest knockout itinerary of the entire tournament. Lionel Messi’s timeless genius fuels the world champions, who face Cape Verde in the Round of 32 before a routine tie against Australia or Egypt in the Round of 16. While Colombia present a rugged obstacle in the quarter-finals, Mac Allister will fully expect to book a spot in the final four.
Brazil, meanwhile, must thread a slightly narrower needle. Alisson faces a technical Japan side in the Round of 32, followed by a potential physical test against either Yan Diomande’s Ivory Coast or Norway.
The Selecao hold the tag of heavy favorites for both encounters, which would set up a classic quarter-final showdown against England, DR Congo, Ecuador, or Mexico.
Should Brazil and Argentina handle business as expected, the two Liverpool clubmates will clash in a historic semi-final, virtually guaranteeing a Red representation in the final itself.
The Reds through to the #FIFAWorldCup Round of 32 ? pic.twitter.com/tycl99GO77
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) June 28, 2026
Seeing all eight Liverpool players safely through to the World Cup knockout rounds provides an immense boost to the club’s global standing, but all football matters completely pale in comparison to the heartbreaking news surrounding Cody Gakpo.
From a purely sporting perspective, Richard Hughes and Andoni Iraola will watch the remaining rounds with a mix of pride and anxiety.
The tournament structure sets up spectacular potential matchups, particularly a mouthwatering Alisson vs. Mac Allister semi-final or a Van Dijk vs. Wirtz quarter-final. Liverpool fans possess an incredibly high chance of seeing at least one World Cup winner return to the AXA Training Centre this summer.