Chelsea players will be joining the international battle for supremacy at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico next summer.
With that in mind, read on as we assess which Blues stars have the best chance of lifting the prestigious trophy, starting with a trio of England players.
Cole Palmer, Trevoh Chalobah & Reece James – England
England qualified for the World Cup with a perfect record and are one of the bookmakers’ favourites to emerge victorious on July 19.
Cole Palmer, Trevoh Chalobah and Reece James should be in the squad, and will hope to emulate Raheem Sterling’s performance in the previous edition.
Sterling was on the scoresheet in a 6-2 victory over Iran – a fixture which triggered a massive wave of betting activity in the Asian country.
The best betting sites in Iran will once again be flooded with wagers next summer given that their team have qualified for the tournament.
If they are paired with England next summer, sportsbooks are guaranteed to be inundated with requests for accounts from new Iranian punters.
The Three Lions will be eager to avoid any slip-ups against tournament minnows, and their Chelsea contingent will play a key role in helping them achieve their aims.
Alejandro Garnacho & Enzo Fernandez – Argentina
Reigning champions Argentina are aiming to become the first national team since Brazil in 1962 to defend the World Cup title.
They have not lost an ounce of their hunger or passion, blowing most of their rivals out of the water in the South American qualifiers.
They have every chance of emerging victorious again, although it could prove twice as hard with opponents now more aware of their strength and grit.
Alejandro Garnacho could be a potent weapon for the Albiceleste, while Enzo Fernandez will provide the energy they need in the middle of the park.
Marc Cucurella & Robert Sanchez – Spain
Spain will be one of the biggest threats to Argentina. The reigning European champions are buzzing with fresh talent eager to leave their mark at the World Cup.
The Nations League finalists are blessed with young stars such as Lamine Yamal, Pedri and Nico Williams. Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella and Robert Sanchez will also be in the squad.
Cucurella has evolved into one of the best left-backs in the world, and his non-stop energy down the flank is infectious. He has a great understanding with Williams, and they can wreak havoc on any opposition backline.
Cucurella vs Yamal 😤#UCL pic.twitter.com/L6leiCOZsA
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) November 27, 2025
Sanchez will likely play a back-up role to David Raya and Unai Simon, but will be called upon at some stage. He has improved this season and will hope to carry his form into the World Cup.
Joao Pedro, Estevao, Andrey Santos – Brazil
Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil side could be one to watch next year.
Joao Pedro has handled leading the line well for Ancelotti, while Andrey Santos is emerging as a force to be reckoned with in the engine room.
Estevao has also been in fine form for club and country, earmarking himself as one of the finest young talents in world football.
He could help Brazil end their 24-year wait for another world title. The 18-year-old gets people off their feet and will make Brazil a feared team at next year’s tournament.
Malo Gusto – France
France are stacked with world-class players, including Chelsea’s Malo Gusto, who has become a mainstay under manager Didier Deschamps.
Gusto is a dependable right-back who has added attacking thrust to his defensive resilience. He could play a key role in France’s quest for redemption on the world stage.
Full-backs who can offer balance and dynamism are invaluable. Gusto’s pace, ball-carrying and end-product give Les Bleus an extra gear in transitions, which is critical in tournament football.
If France are to reclaim the trophy in North America, their wide defenders must hit consistent levels.
Gusto is the kind of subtle difference-maker who can swing tense knockout games. His emergence could be one of the keys to France going all the way.