Image Credits: Imago Images
The final spots for the 2026 FIFA World Cup were confirmed on Tuesday night as the European play-off finals concluded in dramatic fashion – bringing to an end the last qualifying pathway to the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The biggest shock of the night came courtesy of Italy, who were dumped out on penalties by Bosnia and Herzegovina in Zenica, becoming the first former champions in history to miss three consecutive World Cups. It means the Azzurri’s long-suffering supporters will now have gone at least 16 years without seeing their nation play a single World Cup match.
With all 48 spots now filled, attention turns to the clubs that will be most heavily impacted this summer, with Liverpool boasting 13 representatives at football’s showpiece event.
Alisson – Brazil
Alisson will carry Brazil’s World Cup ambitions on his gloves in Group C, where the five-time champions face Morocco, Haiti and Scotland – meaning the Liverpool goalkeeper could end up facing Andy Robertson in the group stage.
When fit, Alisson remains their undisputed number one. The 33-year-old missed Brazil’s March warm-up games through injury but is expected to be back between the sticks before the tournament kicks off.
Mohamed Salah – Egypt
Salah sealed Egypt’s qualification in emphatic style back in October, scoring twice in a 3-0 win over Djibouti to send the Pharaohs to the World Cup for the first time since 2018. In doing so, he became the all-time leading goalscorer in African World Cup qualifying history. Egypt land in Group G alongside Belgium, Iran and New Zealand – a draw that gives Salah a genuine chance of progressing.
Florian Wirtz – Germany
Wirtz arguably produced the performance of the international break, scoring twice and assisting twice as Germany came from behind to beat Switzerland 4-3 in a World Cup warm-up, silencing any doubters who questioned his form during a difficult first season at Liverpool.
Germany have been handed a favourable group, facing Curaçao, Ivory Coast and Ecuador in Group E- a draw that should see Die Mannschaft progress comfortably to the knockout rounds.
Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, Cody Gakpo & Jeremie Frimpong – Netherlands
Four Liverpool players will represent the Netherlands this summer. Van Dijk led his nation through qualifying unbeaten. However, Jeremie Frimpong picked up an injury during their 1-1 draw with Ecuador last night in a friendly, casting doubt on his availability to face Manchester City this coming weekend.
Alexis Mac Allister – Argentina
The reigning World Cup champions are back, and Mac Allister remains a pivotal cog in Lionel Scaloni’s machine. Argentina are in Group J alongside Algeria, Austria and Jordan — a group that should be very navigable for the defending champions, with the real tests expected in the knockout rounds.
Alexander Isak – Sweden
Sweden’s route to the World Cup was anything but straightforward. Graham Potter’s side finished bottom of their qualifying group, only surviving via the Nations League play-off route, before a dramatic 3-2 win over Poland in the play-off final booked their place in Group F.
Isak will hope to be fully fit by the summer after a nightmare season plagued by a groin injury and a broken ankle and fibula suffered in December.
Andy Robertson – Scotland
Perhaps no qualification story is more emotionally charged than Scotland’s. Robertson captained his nation to their first World Cup since 1998 in November, securing a dramatic 4-2 win over Denmark in injury time – a moment he dedicated to his late Liverpool teammate Diogo Jota.
The draw was not kind to Scotland, landing them in Group C alongside Brazil, Morocco and Haiti, but Robertson will lead the Tartan Army into the tournament knowing they made it there the hard way.
Wataru Endo – Japan
Endo and Japan hold the distinction of being the very first nation to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, doing so with a 2-0 win over Bahrain back in March 2025. The Blue Samura land in Group F alongside the Netherlands, Sweden and Tunisia.
Hugo Ekitike & Ibrahima Konate – France
France brings two Liverpool players to the party in Group I, with both Ekitike and Konate firmly in Didier Deschamps’ plans. Ekitike’s rise since joining the Reds has been rapid, and he is expected to be on the plane heading to North America this summer.
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