5 Arsenal players whose place at the 2026 World Cup is hanging by a thread

With the 2026 World Cup less than 60 days away, players are carefully peaking at the right moment and avoid unecessary injuries to secure their place on the plane to North America.

That, however, may be the last thing on Arsenal players’ minds currently. They remain locked in a domestic battle with Manchester City, while also chasing potential Champions League glory.

Their recent cold streak has boosted confidence, but with fierce competition for squad places, some Arsenal players could yet find themselves watching from the beach rather than competing for football’s ultimate prize in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

We look at the five players that may not stamp their passport with a World Cup ticket.

Leandro Trossard

Something that may come as a surprise. Leandro Trossard could miss out on Belgium’s World Cup squad due to a combination of inconsistent form and fierce competition in the wide areas.

While capable of moments of quality, he has struggled to deliver consistently at international level. Belgium boast strong attacking depth, with players like Jérémy Doku, Yannick Carrasco, Dodi Lukébakio and Kevin De Bruyne will be competing for Trossard’s position in the limited attacking midfield and wide positions.

As a result, the manager may favour more explosive or in-form options, leaving Trossard narrowly outside the final selection.

Mikel Merino

The Spanish midfielder-turned-forward has been an integral part of Spain’s squad throughout the qualification stages, but a 2026 injury has cast serious doubt over his participation.

The Pamplona-born star is still recovering from a fractured foot that required surgery. Mikel Arteta confirmed ahead of the Bournemouth match that he has only recently come out of a protective boot, raising concerns that he may not feature again this season.

Without any games prior to the tournament, there is a high probability that his summer will be on recovery time.

Eberechi Eze

The most in-form of the five and a crucial figure for Arsenal at present.

However, England’s attacking depth remains a major obstacle. Thomas Tuchel is known to admire Eberechi Eze, but with Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Phil Foden all competing for places in a 26-man squad, opportunities are far from guaranteed.

His return from injury may have come at the perfect time, a chance to remind the national manager of his quality in an Arsenal shirt and turn strong domestic form into a place on the international stage.

Gabriel Jesus

The Brazilian was left out of Carlo Ancelotti’s March squad and, given his limited club minutes, it looks unlikely he will force his way back in ahead of in-form options such as Igor Thiago, João Pedro and Matheus Cunha.

At club level, he currently sits behind Viktor Gyökeres in the pecking order, with Kai Havertz also preferred through the middle, further limiting his chances to build momentum. Breaking into Brazil’s attacking ranks under these circumstances appears a tall order.

Injuries have undoubtedly stalled his progress, and there is a growing sense at the Emirates that a move elsewhere may be necessary for him to rediscover form and revive his international prospects.

Myles Lewis-Skelly

The left-back was a consistent presence in the England squad last season while a regular for Arsenal, but defensive frailties have since seen him fall down the pecking order, with Ricardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapié now preferred options at club level.

His chances of making the England squad now appear slim, with emerging options such as Lewis Hall, Nico O’Reilly, and potentially Tino Livramento and Djed Spence moving ahead of him. It marks a disappointing turn for a player once tipped as England’s next long-term solution at left-back.

Add us as a preferred source on Google