Arsenal have confirmed that 12 players remain involved at the 2026 World Cup as the tournament moves through the last-16 stage.
The club’s official World Cup update says 12 Gunners are still in contention, with quarter-final places now at stake. Arsenal had all 15 of their World Cup players reach the knockouts, with Roundtable noting that every player who travelled from Mikel Arteta’s squad made it through the group stage.
The remaining group cuts across several important areas of Arteta’s team. Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli remain involved with Brazil, Martin Odegaard continues with Norway, and Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke are still part of England’s campaign.
Spain also keep Arsenal interest alive through Mikel Merino, David Raya and Martin Zubimendi, while William Saliba and Leandro Trossard remain active with France and Belgium. Arsenal confirmed on Sunday that Saliba had already reached the quarter-finals after France beat Paraguay 1-0.
ReadArsenal has already looked at whether the World Cup workload could help or hinder Arsenal’s title defence. The latest official count makes that question more pressing.
Arteta will welcome the level his players are operating at. Knockout football gives them sharpness, pressure and tournament rhythm before Arsenal return to domestic football.
The issue comes with timing. Every extra World Cup game pushes rest, medical checks and pre-season reintegration deeper into July.
Arsenal’s squad strength is clear from the numbers. Arteta’s next challenge will involve turning that international exposure back into a settled, fit group before the Premier League title defence begins.
