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How the World Cup has affected your Premier League team
Spain squad
- Full squad
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1 David RAYA Goalkeeper
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2 Marc PUBILL Defender
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3 Alex GRIMALDO Defender
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4 Eric GARCIA Defender
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5 Marcos LLORENTE Defender
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6 Mikel MERINO Midfielder
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7 Ferran TORRES Forward
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8 Fabian RUIZ Midfielder
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9 GAVI Midfielder
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10 Dani OLMO Forward
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11 Yeremy PINO Forward
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12 Pedro PORRO Defender
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13 Joan GARCIA Goalkeeper
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14 Aymeric LAPORTE Defender
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15 Alex BAENA Midfielder
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16 RODRI Midfielder
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17 Nico WILLIAMS Forward
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18 Martin ZUBIMENDI Midfielder
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19 Lamine YAMAL Forward
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20 PEDRI Midfielder
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21 Mikel OYARZABAL Forward
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22 Pau CUBARSI Defender
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23 Unai SIMON Goalkeeper
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24 Marc CUCURELLA Defender
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25 Victor MUNOZ Forward
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26 Borja IGLESIAS Forward
Argentina squad
- Full squad
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1 Juan MUSSO Goalkeeper
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2 Marcos SENESI Defender
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3 Nicolas TAGLIAFICO Defender
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4 Gonzalo MONTIEL Defender
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5 Leandro PAREDES Midfielder
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6 Lisandro MARTINEZ Defender
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7 Rodrigo DE PAUL Midfielder
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8 Valentin BARCO Midfielder
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9 Julian ALVAREZ Forward
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10 Lionel MESSI Forward
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11 Giovani Lo Celso Midfielder
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12 Geronimo RULLI Goalkeeper
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13 Cristian ROMERO Defender
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14 Exequiel PALACIOS Midfielder
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15 Nico GONZALEZ Midfielder
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16 Thiago ALMADA Forward
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17 Giuliano SIMEONE Forward
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18 Nico PAZ Forward
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19 Nicolas OTAMENDI Defender
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20 Alexis MAC ALLISTER Midfielder
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21 Jose Manuel LOPEZ Forward
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22 Lautaro MARTINEZ Forward
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23 Emiliano MARTINEZ Goalkeeper
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24 Enzo FERNANDEZ Midfielder
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25 Facundo MEDINA Defender
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26 Nahuel MOLINA Defender
As the 2026 World Cup concludes with the Argentina-Spain final in New Jersey, Premier League clubs are reassessing squad fitness and transfer priorities shaped by the tournament. All twenty top-flight teams had representation at the World Cup, experiencing impacts ranging from players returning with manageable injuries to significant setbacks requiring emergency recruitment and squad reconstruction.
Arsenal emerged as the most disrupted club, with centre-back William Saliba's tournament curtailed by a back injury that raises fitness concerns, whilst midfielders Rice and Saka return requiring careful monitoring despite managing England's third-place push. Aston Villa's midfield plans were thrown into disarray when Amadou Onana ruptured his ACL, prompting the club to accelerate signings of replacements including Johan Manzambi from Freiburg, who impressed for Switzerland throughout the tournament. Across the league, departures have accelerated—including Leandro Trossard's move to Turkish club Besiktas—whilst emerging talents like Gabriel Martinelli and 19-year-old winger Rayan have generated fresh transfer speculation heading into the summer window.
In short
- Arsenal's William Saliba faces uncertain fitness after back injury; Rice and Saka require close monitoring following England's third-place finish
- Aston Villa's Amadou Onana's ACL rupture forced emergency midfield signings including Johan Manzambi from Freiburg
- Multiple injury concerns and transfer movements across Premier League as clubs adjust squads following World Cup completion
Explained simply
The World Cup is international football's biggest tournament, where national teams compete every four years for the sport's highest honour. Premier League players from around the world leave their clubs to represent their countries during the competition, exposing themselves to injuries and physical demands that can affect their availability back in England.
When key players are injured at the World Cup, it creates serious problems for their Premier League clubs. Clubs may need to sign replacement players urgently, adjust their tactics, or manage returning players' fitness carefully, all of which shapes their competitive prospects and spending priorities.
All twenty Premier League clubs had players competing at the 2026 World Cup, so every top-flight team faced some level of disruption. The extent of impact varied significantly, with some clubs experiencing manageable consequences and others requiring substantial squad rebuilding.
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