What to expect from Albion’s EIGHT World Cup players?

Brighton and Hove Albion FC Football Sport

Albion matched their World Cup record by sending eight players to the finals.

None of the contingent who represented the club in Qatar in 2022 will do so again.

But four of that group will be in the USA, Mexico and Canada in the coming weeks, having moved on to different clubs.

Alexis Mac Allister, Leandro Trossard, Pervis Estupinan and Moises Caicedo will be there with other clubs.

Jeremy Sarmiento, Tariq Lamptey and Robert Sanchez have also moved on but will not make the big stage this time.

Kaoru Mitoma would have bridged both tournaments as an Albion player but for his hamstring injury.

So how will the class of 2026 fare?

Bart Verbruggen makes a save against Poland at Euro 2024 (Image: AP)

Albion have more players in the Dutch squad than Ajax, PSV and Feyenoord combined.

But Verbruggen caused concern in the final friendly when he landed awkwardly and hurt his hip.

The Albion No.1 enjoyed senior tournament experience in the Euros two years ago, reaching the semi-final, and head coach Ronald Koeman made it clear he is his first choice for this tournament.

Prospects: A chance to really show what he can do, injury-scare permitting.

The centre-back wanted by Spurs looks a likely starter alongside Virgil van Dijk.

Still a relative newcomer in international football with 12 caps, the first of them won shortly after the last Euros.

Prospects: Will be a centre of attention for a side who rely on their strong defence.

Forced his way back into the squad just before the World Cup and, while he flew across the Atlantic as a back-up member of the 26, one wonders whether his trajectory is on the rise again at just the right time.

He is now seen as more of a right-back than a midfielder both for club and country and might feel his efforts have been rewarded given that he missed the Euros in 2024 with a thigh injury.

He focussed on getting himself fit and made the move from Feyenoord to Albion that summer.

Prospects: Could force his way in.

Max De Cuyper in action against Wales in a qualifier (Image: Adam Davy)

He felt he finished the club season well and could now play a decent role for the Red Devils, possibly as wing-back.

Having been an unused substitute in all four Belgium games at Euro 2024 he looks a good bet for playing time these days and could start it head-to-head against Mo Salah.

Prospects: While Belgium might be past their peak, their draw looks kind.

Has 21 caps to date and is likely to be a central player for Graham Potter’s Sweden.

Potter has put a lot of faith in Ayari in his 3-4-2-1 set-up and he gives a more adventurous edge alongside Udinese grafter Jesper Karlstrom in the engine room.

Sweden will hope to get their two star strikers Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak on the pitch at the same time.

Prospects: A brilliant next step for Ayari but Sweden aren’t fancied as a team.

Ferdi Kadioglu with and Wales' Neco Williams (Image: David Davies/PA Wire)

Caused a little concern when it was reported he trained alone in the pre-tournament camp.

But it appears he will be available to continue the fine form he showed for his club and also his country in the World Cup qualifiers.

He has 30 senior caps, having played age group internationals for Holland, and produced some highlight moments at Euro 2024 which caught the eyes of Albion fans when their club then signed him from Fenerbahce.

Prospects: Looks well-placed to build on his performances at Euro 2024.

Earned a recall to the squad thanks to his efforts with Albion in the second half of the season but his chances are likely to be limited.

He remained on the bench for recent friendlies against Finland the USA as he looks to add to his 18 caps.

Any action in this tournament will be his first competitive minutes for Germany in more than nine months but he played in a couple of friendlies in March and will be a valuable figure around the squad.

Prospects: Likely to be a back-up squad player.

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Still only 23 but it is one of the main men for a Paraguay side who are very excited about their first Finals since 2010.

Has 24 caps and might play in the right-of-centre role he has occupied on a regular basis for Albion in the Premier League.

Caused concern with a knee injury in the later part of the season but two appearances for his club, while not at his best, tuned him up for the World Cup.

Prospects: Paraguay will expect hm to shine.