As a record-breaking 48 teams descend on North America for the largest World Cup in history, the tournament, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the tournament will also feature a record-breaking number of players from the EFL competing on the greatest stage of all.
Here are ten players expected to play key roles for their nations:
Abdul Fatawu – Ghana
In what was a disastrous season for Leicester City, which saw them relegated to the third tier just ten years after being crowned Premier League champions, the Foxes now face life in League One. Fatawu has emerged as one of their most valuable assets, enjoying a strong campaign with nine goals and seven assists in 44 appearances. The Ghanaian international joins Coventry City forward Brandon Thomas-Asante in the Black Stars squad with them drawn in Group L alongside England, Panama, and Croatia, and will be hoping to progress to the knockout stages.
José Córdoba – Panamá
The 25-year-old Norwich City defender endured a slightly below-par season, contributing just two goal involvements across all competitions. However, he remains a key figure for Panama as Los Canaleros return to the World Cup in the same group as England, Ghana, and Croatia and will be looking to improve on their last showing in 2018.
Matthew Garbett – New Zealand
In his first season at Peterborough United in League One, Garbett impressed in Luke Williams’ side, underlining why the winger is highly regarded. A product of New Zealand’s youth setup since the Under-17 level, he is set to feature at his first World Cup and is one of five EFL players in the All Whites squad. New Zealand face a challenging group containing Iran, Egypt, and Belgium; however, as one of the lowest-rated sides in the tournament, they are among the early favourites to exit at the group stage according to several bookmakers.
Paik Seung-ho – Korea Republic
Since arriving at Birmingham City in 2024, Paik has been a consistent and influential presence in central midfield. The former Barcelona B player is typically a starter for his country and will be vital if the Taegeuk Warriors are to enjoy a successful tournament, with many predicting a good run. In the group, they will face Mexico, the Czech Republic, and South Africa and he is joined in the squad by fellow Championship players Bae Jun-ho and Eom Ji-sung.
Jacob Widell Zetterström – Sweden
Widely regarded as Sweden’s first-choice goalkeeper heading into the tournament, Zetterström produced another standout season at Derby County, despite the Rams narrowly missing the play-offs on the final day. The 27-year-old will be joined in the squad by Stoke City’s Viktor Johansson and Burnley’s Hjalmar Ekdal. Sweden face the Netherlands, Japan, and Tunisia in the group stage and will hope to emulate their run to the quarter-finals in 2018 after missing out on the last tournament in Qatar.
Ar’jany Martha – Curaçao
The Rotherham United winger made 41 appearances in League One during a difficult season that ended in relegation for the Millers. Born in Rotterdam, the Curaçao international could play a significant role at the World Cup after helping his nation qualify for their first-ever finals. He forms part of a trio of EFL representatives alongside Sheffield United’s Tahith Chong and Middlesbrough’s Sontje Hansen, with The Blue Wave meeting Germany, Ecuador and Ivory Coast in the group stage.
Lyndon Dykes – Charlton Athletic
The experienced striker has already netted ten international goals and will feature at Scotland’s first World Cup in nearly 30 years. His domestic season, split between Charlton Athletic and Birmingham City, brought five goals and three assists in 41 Championship appearances. Scotland have been handed what many have deemed the “group of death” featuring Brazil, Haiti, and Morocco.
Hannibal Mejbri – Tunisia
The Manchester United academy graduate has gained valuable experience in recent years, particularly during his time with Burnley in both the Championship and Premier League. Hannibal is expected to be a key part of Tunisia’s midfield as they face the Netherlands, Japan, and Sweden in a tightly contested group. With Burnley now back in the Championship, the Clarets will hope he can play a major role in an immediate return to the top flight.
Harry Souttar – Australia
Despite an injury-plagued season that limited him to just two Championship appearances as Leicester City suffered relegation, Souttar will be looking to rediscover the form that has made him a mainstay in Australia’s defence. The Socceroos face a tough group against co-hosts USA, Turkey, and Paraguay, hoping to emulate their run in Qatar which saw them escape the group for the first time since 2006.
Cyle Larin – Canada
Although he made just 16 appearances on loan at Southampton in the Championship, the 31-year-old impressed Saints manager Tonda Eckert sufficiently to earn a permanent move from Feyenoord. As co-hosts, Canada will rely heavily on Larin’s experience in Jesse Marsch’s squad as they take on Bosnia, Qatar, and Switzerland in a big tournament for Cananadian football.