Liverpool have plenty of reason to watch the next World Cup closely, with nine first-team players spread across five major contenders.
In the five represented national teams, there is real quality in the mix and more than one genuine medal chance, and Liverpool could have key starters in every one of these national teams.
Some sides look stronger than others right now, but every country on this list has a route to the latter stages of the World Cup, and a few of them could easily go all the way.
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Liverpool stars’ World Cup prospects ranked
5. Netherlands: Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, Jeremie Frimpong, Cody Gakpo
The Netherlands are Liverpool’s most represented country, with Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, Jeremie Frimpong and Cody Gakpo all in the squad picture. That alone gives them a serious Liverpool core, and when you add the quality of Frenkie de Jong and Liverpool target Denzel Dumfries, there is a lot to like about them.
Still, I think they will enter as dark horses rather than outright favourites. They feel like a team chasing the very top tier rather than leading it.
4. Brazil: Alisson Becker
Brazil will always have star power in attack, and that is true again with Raphinha, Vinicius Junior and a collection of Premier League names around them. The issue for me is midfield, where there does not seem to be the same elite weight compared to the strongest teams in this ranking.
Carlo Ancelotti might prove me wrong because his reputation can’t be dismissed, but I still do not see Brazil on the level of the teams ahead. Alisson Becker should play a huge role. Hopefully he is fully fit when the time comes.
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3. Germany: Florian Wirtz
I’m putting Germany ahead of Brazil. The squad looks deeper to me, and the attack around Florian Wirtz is almost as exciting with Jamal Musiala and Serge Gnabry bringing real quality, while Joshua Kimmich and Antonio Rudiger provide the experience further back the pitch.
Wirtz’s form for Germany is another big reason for the ranking. In their first game of 2026 against Switzerland he scored twice and set up two more. He’s in outstanding international form heading into a World Cup.
Florian Wirtz and Alexis Mac Allister for Liverpool
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2. Argentina: Alexis Mac Allister
Argentina are the last winners, and that matters. Alexis Mac Allister will be heavily involved again.
I do think they look like an older side now, though. Lionel Messi could prove me wrong because he has done that often enough, but he is no longer in his prime, and going back-to-back at the World Cup is incredibly difficult.
1. France: Ibrahima Konaté, Hugo Ekitiké
France are older too, but that could actually help them because the team was so young in 2022. Now there is more maturity to go with frightening depth, and for me they are right there with Spain as the favourites.
The options are ridiculous. Hugo Ekitiké, Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembele, Rayan Cherki, Kingsley Coman, Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue is a stack of attacking talent that no country can match.
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Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes watching on during the Reds' Premier League match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge (Credit: Getty Images/Robin Jones).
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It is easy to see why Ekitiké and Konaté have the best chance of bringing a World Cup medal to Anfield.
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