The group stage of the 2026 World Cup is already on the schedule, and with 72 games already scheduled, all of our Arsenal representatives have safely booked their place in the last 32 matches.
We started the tournament with 15 players looking to lift the trophy in North America this summer, with only Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain boasting more players.
And all 15 Gunners still have those ambitions, having seen their teams progress through the groups and into the knockout stages.
The first to try to make it to the 1/8 finals will be Gabriel and Gabriel Martinelli. Brazil face Japan on Monday in Houston, topping their group with seven points. Big Gabi started all three group stage matches, with Martinelli coming on as a substitute twice.
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Later that evening, Kai Havertz’s Germany will look to put defeat to Ecuador behind them by facing South American opposition again when they take on Paraguay in Foxborough. Kai scored twice in the final, starting all three games.
Martin Odegaard is set to lead Norway to success against Ivory Coast on Tuesday, having missed out on the final group game against France and already secured a place in the knockout stages.
Later that day, the French come into action when two gunners collide as William Saliba takes on Victor Guioqueres in New Jersey. William was also rested against Norway and Victor still played every minute, helping his country reach the round of 16 with one goal.
After that, Piero Hincapie’s side of Ecuador will be looking to use the feel-good factor to reach this stage when they meet co-hosts Mexico at the Estadio Azteca. The defender started all three of his country’s games and stunned Germany by coming from behind to win and qualify.
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England return to action on Wednesday evening when they take on DR Congo in Atlanta. Bukayo Saka will be hoping to start again after enjoying success in the last group game against Panama, while Declan Rice should return from rest for this game. Like Bukayo, Noni Madueke played in all three matches, while Ebere Eze came on as a substitute twice.
Next up are Belgium, who were helped by Leandro Trossard to progress out of the group with a brace in a 5-1 win over New Zealand to finish top. That set up a clash with Senegal in Seattle, with Leo looking to start his fourth game in the tournament this year.
On Thursday, our Spanish trio will aim to get past Austria in Los Angeles and reach the round of 16 with either Portugal or Croatia. Mikel Merino has three matches under his belt, while Martin Zubimendi and David Raya are still waiting for their first minutes in the final.
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WHEN OUR STARS PLAY NEXT
all times UK
Monday, June 29
Brazil (Gabriel, Martinelli) โ Japan
Houston | 18:00
Germany (Havertz) โ Paraguay
Foxboro | 21:30
Tuesday, June 30
Norway (Odegaard) – Ivory Coast
Dallas | 18:00
France (Saliba) โ Sweden (Gjokeres)
New York/New Jersey | 22:00
Wednesday, July 1
Mexico vs. Ecuador (Hincapie)
Mexico City | 2 am
England (Saka, Rice, Eze, Madueke) – DR Congo
Atlanta | 17:00
Belgium (Trossard) โ Senegal
Seattle | 21:00
Thursday, July 2
Spain (Merino, Raya, Zubimendi) – Austria
Los Angeles | 8 pm
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