Arsenal initially sent 15 players to the 2026 World Cup, making them one of the most heavily represented clubs at the tournament. Heading into the final stretch of the competition, nine of those players are still actively fighting for the trophy across the semi-final stages.
Still alive and kicking
Declan Rice (England)
The midfielder has played five games for England and provided one assist. He has been the absolute bedrock of Thomas Tuchel’s midfield engine room and has even filled in as a right-back. His standout moment came against Croatia, where he completely dominated the midfield, intercepted crucial passes, and capped off a masterful performance by delivering a precise assist to Harry Kane from a corner. Carrying an injury from last season, he struggled to match those heights during the Last 16 clash against Mexico, and was subbed off at halftime against Norway.
Bukayo Saka (England)
The forward has also been nursing an injury issue and has been unable to be a regular starter. Even with an Achilles injury, he still made an impact in England’s first five games, with three assists. During a chaotic and highly stressful 3-2 victory over Mexico, his world-class playmaking, decision-making, and pinpoint crossing single-handedly dragged his team into the quarterfinals. His impact from now on could be decided by his fitness, or lack of it.
Noni Madueke (England)
The versatile winger has featured in five of six games for England.Madueke started the tournament exceptionally well in Bukayo Saka’s absence. His electric, sharp footwork and direct running forced a desperate challenge to win an important penalty in England’s opening match against Croatia. He did not feature in the last 16 win over Mexico, but got the nod to start against Norway. Alas, Tuchel yanked him at halftime in favor of….
Eberechi Eze (England)
The smiling attacking midfielder has played cameo roles in four games with no goals or assists. Eze has consistently injected deep attacking dynamism, flair, and unpredictability off the bench. When introduced late in games, his ability to carry the ball and unlock stubborn, deep-sitting defensive lines that were frustrating England’s starting forwards has been key. England’s highly competitive attacking squad means he is likely to remain a luxury impact-substitute.
Mikel Merino (Spain)
The versatile midfielder only just regained fitness at the very end of the last Premier League season and is mainly just happy to be in America with his fellow countrymen. He has since played in five games and etched his name into Spanish football folklore by scoring a dramatic, late Round of 16 winner against bitter rivals Portugal. Then he repeated that feat against Belgium in the quarter-finals. He’s the undisputed super-sub of the tournament, and appears to be regained that match fitness he was understandably lacking before.
MartÃn Zubimendi (Spain)
Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente believes Arsenal’s MartÃn Zubimendi is the second-best midfielder in the world behind his fellow Spanish countryman Rodri. That said, through the quarterfinals he has not played a single minute this summer. Will he get his chance in the next two matches? We’ll see.
David Raya (Spain)
Raya has not seen a single minute of action at the tournament. His high point is purely his support role in a highly harmonious Spanish squad. His clear low point is the frustration of being frozen out entirely behind Unai Simón despite coming off a spectacular Golden Glove season in England.
William Saliba (France)
France have kept four clean sheets en route to the semi-finals, and William Saliba has been at the heart of their defense in each of their six matches to date. The ‘Rolls Royce’ of a defender is said to be not fully fit, but there have been few signs of him struggling so far and Didier Deschamps will have him as one of his first names on his team sheet for so long as he is manager.Â
Gone Home
Martin Ødegaard (Norway)
The Arsenal captain brilliantly captained Norway through six starts, registering four assists. His masterclass midfield performances inspired historic wins over the Ivory Coast and Brazil, booking a quarter-final clash with England. Sadly, Norway fell short in extra-time. Ødegaard has also shown previously unseen skills, leading his players and Norway supporters on the drum to beat out their viral post-match celebration: the viking row. A natural leader and creator.
Leandro Trossard (Belgium)
The left winger played six games for Belgium, scoring two goals and providing two assists. Through five matches he was the undisputed number one creative player at the 2026 World Cup with 17 chances created. Sadly, his performance in the quarter-final match against Spain was not up to his usual standard; he was subbed off after 60 minutes. Arsenal fans might be wondering why the club is allowing him to leave this summer in a cut-price deal with Turkish club BeÅŸiktas.
Kai Havertz (Germany)
The enigmatic forward’s World Cup campaign ended in heartbreak after Germany suffered a shock elimination in the Round of 32, losing 4–3 on penalties to Paraguay after a 1–1 draw. Despite the team’s early exit, Havertz was one of Germany’s standout individual performers under Julian Nagelsmann, finishing the tournament with three goals across four appearances.
Viktor Gyökeres (Sweden)
Arsenal’s leading scorer in his first season at the club had a World Cup journey that concluded in the Round of 32 after Sweden suffered a decisive 3–0 elimination at the hands of William Saliba’s France. Despite the early knockout exit, the 28-year-old Arsenal forward had a highly productive debut World Cup tournament, finishing his campaign in North America with one goal and one assist across four appearances.
Gabriel Magalhães (Brazil)
Arsenal’s wall at the back started all five matches for Brazil, securing one assist and two clean sheets. Gabriel asserted immense physical and aerial dominance, winning 17 duels with his head alone. Suffered a nightmare moment in the Round of 16 against Norway when he was caught completely out of position during a rapid counterattack and failed to track Erling Haaland, who slotted home a fatal 90th-minute winner to eliminate Brazil.
Gabriel Martinelli (Brazil)
A player who enhanced his reputation as he played four matches and made one start. His individual highlight was undoubtedly a 95th-minute winner against Japan. He was ultimately left deeply disappointed, though, after failing to make any notable impact when subbed on late during the knockout defeat to Norway.
Piero Hincapié (Ecuador)
The versatile defender played four games for Ecuador with no goals or assists. He played mainly as a left-sided centre-back under manager Sebastián Beccacece, having been used mainly as a full-back for Arsenal last season. Sadly, for him and Ecuador, his World Cup ended in a defeat to Mexico and a red card for shouting at an opponent with his hand covering his mouth, contravening the latest strict FIFA disciplinary rule.
