Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham stars expected to be at World Cup and who they will face

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup now just a few months away, representatives from Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham have discovered which teams they are likely to face off against next summer.

The 2026 World Cup is just around the corner with the draw for the competition's group stage complete. Forty-eight teams will take to the global stage - with only one nation set to be able to call themselves the champions.

International football offers a slightly different dynamic to the usual club stage, with players from across different leagues pooling together to represent their nations. As a result, there will be plenty of representation from Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham all expected to feature in North America next summer.

So, with that said, here's a look at every star from those teams who is expected to be at the World Cup, and who they will face.

Spain

Spain are the current European champions, having won the continental competition back in 2024, beating England in the final. With a strong core to the squad, they are looking to go one step further and lift yet another FIFA World Cup trophy.

Arsenal have several potential representatives in the squad; with David Raya, Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi all regulars for the side. Beyond them, Cristhian Mosquera and Kepa Arrizabalaga will be pushing for a call-up.

Chelsea have Marc Cucurella, who is a regular in their line-up, while Robert Sanchez and Marc Guiu will be pushing for an outside shot at being in the team. Tottenham's Pedro Porro is another who has featured regularly for La Roja.

Who they will play in the group stage;

• Uruguay
• Saudi Arabia
• Cape Verde

Argentina

Argentina are the current champions of the world, having won the previous World Cup back in 2022. Now they're looking to do it all over again.

Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez is in contention for a call-up to the team, having broken on to the world stage in the previous tournament, while Alejandro Garnacho is looking to get back into contention.

Tottenham's Cristian Romero is a regular for the side, who will expect to feature, once again.

Who they will play in the group stage;

• Austria
• Algeria
• Jordan

France

France know exactly what it takes to win a World Cup, having been there and done it several times already. They came close to doing so again in the previous edition, but fell in the final to Argentina.

Now they are looking to bring the trophy back, once again - with William Saliba the sole Arsenal representative expected to be in the squad. Chelsea have plenty of French representation in their backline, with Malo Gusto breaking into the team lately, while the likes of Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile and Axel Disasi are all fighting for a place.

Randal Kolo Muani, Wilson Odobert and Mathys Tel will be showing interest from a Tottenham perspective.

Who they will play in the group stage;

• Senegal
• Norway
• Iraq/Bolivia/Suriname

England

England are still searching for their first major trophy since 1966, having gone close in recent tournaments to finally end that wait. With Thomas Tuchel at the helm, there is increased hope they can, finally, do just that next summer.

Arsenal have a strong core of English players, with Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke all making their way into the squad. Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ben White could be eyeing up a return to the squad, while Ethan Nwaneri is an unlikely shout but with plenty of time to force himself into contention.

Chelsea have a few stars who could feature, with Cole Palmer the most likely to play for England at the World Cup. Beyond him, there's Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah and Levi Colwill who will be aiming for call-ups, while Jamie Gittens and Liam Delap could force themselves into the conversation.

Tottenham's Djed Spence, Archie Gray, Dominic Solanke and James Maddison could all be involved, depending on their own fitness and form heading towards the competition.

Who they will play in the group stage;

• Croatia
• Panama
• Ghana

Portugal

Portugal are looking to put their own wait for a World Cup to an end over the summer, in what could be a final swan-song for Cristiano Ronaldo. Chelsea star Pedro Neto could be in contention for the squad, alongside Dario Essugo - depending on his fitness - while Tottenham loanee Joao Palhinha could feature.

Who they will play in the group stage;

• Colombia
• Uzbekistan
• Congo DR/Jamaica/New Caledonia

Brazil

Brazil are one of the most successful international sides, but their recent struggles have been under the spotlight. The Selecao will be hoping to find some form during the World Cup, with the guidance of Carlo Ancelotti bringing some experience to the side.

Arsenal have a trio of potential call-ups within their squad; with Gabriel Magalhaes, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus all available for selection. Chelsea have their own triple threat, with Joao Pedro, Estevao, and Andrey Santos looking to return to the side.

Tottenham's Richarlison has been the starting number nine at times for Brazil, which is a role he may reprise for the World Cup.

Who they will play in the group stage;

• Morocco
• Scotland
• Haiti

Netherlands

The Netherlands will look to be competitive, once again, having failed to recreate their run to the 2010 World Cup showpiece, where they fell to defeat at the hands of Spain. Arsenal's Jurrien Timber could be key to any run for the national team, having shown plenty of versatility in the back-line.

Chelsea's Jorrel Hato and Tottenham's Xavi Simons will be aiming for a place in the team, as well.

Who they will play in the group stage;

• Japan
• Tunisia
• Ukraine/Sweden/Albania/Poland

Belgium

Belgium have threatened to be competitive in the past but, with their golden era now fading, the next crop of stars will need to shine. Leandro Trossard has been an ever-present for Arsenal, and will need to be again for his national team during the World Cup.

Chelsea's Romeo Lavia will be aiming to reach full fitness in time to put himself in the conversation for a call-up.

Who they will play in the group stage;

• Iran
• Egypt
• New Zealand

Germany

Germany are looking to put some recent struggles in the World Cup behind them to reach the top of the world, once again. They have a few stars featuring in the Premier League, including Arsenal forward Kai Havertz, who has been a utility man for the side.

Who they will play in the group stage;

• Ecuador
• Ivory Coast
• Curacao

Uruguay

Uruguay are set to bring an intense style of play with them to the World Cup, with Marcelo Bielsa set to guide them into the competition. Tottenham's Rodrigo Bentancur is set to feature for the side, having been a regular for them.

Who they will play in the group stage;

• Spain
• Saudi Arabia
• Cape Verde

Japan

Japan are back in the World Cup, with Tottenham's Kota Takai fighting for his place in the side, after struggling through some recent injury problems.

Who they will play in the group stage;

• Netherlands
• Tunisia
• Ukraine/Sweden/Albania/Poland

Senegal

Senegal reached the round of 16 in the past World Cup, but they will be looking to go even further this time, with Tottenham's Pape Matar Sarr in the heart of their midfield.

Who they will play in the group stage;

• France
• Norway
• Iraq/Bolivia/Suriname

Austria

Austria managed to qualify for the World Cup, with Kevin Danso proving to be a crucial part of their back-line, as he aims to lead them towards a run in the competition.

Who they will play in the group stage;

• Argentina
• Algeria
• Jordan

Norway

Norway are back at the World Cup for the first time since 1998, having played out an incredible qualifying campaign. They are led by Arsenal's captain Martin Odegaard - who also carries the armband for his nation.

Who they will play in the group stage;

• France
• Senegal
• Iraq/Bolivia/Suriname

Ecuador

Ecuador enjoyed an incredible qualifying campaign, with a rock solid defence that booked their place in North America for the summer. At the centre of that is Arsenal loanee Piero Hincapie and Chelsea star Moises Caicedo, who will both be aiming for glory, once again.

Who they will play in the group stage;

• Germany
• Ivory Coast
• Curacao

Ghana

Ghana are back at the World Cup, once again, with Tottenham's Mohammed Kudus set to join up with the squad for the huge tournament next summer.

Who they will play in the group stage;

• England
• Croatia
• Panama

Play-off teams

Not every team in the World Cup is secured, with six places still up for grabs. Four of those are for UEFA teams, while there are two FIFA Play-Off paths still open.

Italy and Wales are in Play-Off path A, with Arsenal's Riccardo Calafiori and Tottenham's Ben Davies and Brennan Johnson taking place in those games. Sweden are also in Play-Off path B, with Viktor Gyokeres and Lucas Bergvall both featuring for their nation, after some recent struggles.

Christian Norgaard will feature for Denmark in Play-Off path D.