16 Arsenal stars set for World Cup 2026 as Timber earns Netherlands call-up

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Arsenal will have 16 players representing their countries at the 2026 World Cup, with Jurrien Timber’s inclusion in the Netherlands squad being the most notable selection after his injury struggles this season.

The Gunners’ impressive international contingent includes established stars like Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, and Martin Odegaard, while David Raya will compete for Spain and Gabriel Magalhaes represents Brazil. Viktor Gyokeres, who joined Arsenal last summer, has been selected for Sweden’s squad.

Timber’s call-up comes as a surprise given his limited playing time following his knee injury earlier in the campaign. The Dutch defender’s inclusion suggests he is nearing full fitness ahead of the tournament, potentially providing Mikel Arteta with a boost for the upcoming Champions League final.

Notable omissions and missed opportunities

Several Arsenal players have missed out on World Cup selection, with Myles Lewis-Skelly and Cristhian Mosquera perhaps feeling most disappointed. The young England and Spain prospects respectively have been overlooked despite strong seasons in north London.

Ben White’s absence from the England squad was expected given his knee injury, while Gabriel Jesus continues his exile from the Brazil setup despite his contributions to Arsenal’s campaign. Kepa Arrizabalaga also remains out of Spain’s plans.

Riccardo Calafiori and Christian Norgaard won’t feature after Italy and Denmark failed to qualify for the expanded tournament. The absence of these established nations highlights the competitive nature of World Cup qualification, even with the increased number of participating teams.

Young talent on the horizon

Ethan Nwaneri has earned recognition by being called up to train with England’s senior squad, with Thomas Tuchel reportedly waiting to see how Arsenal’s Champions League final unfolds before making any final squad decisions.

The young midfielder’s inclusion in the training camp represents a significant step in his development, though he remains with the Under-21 setup for now. Max Dowman, Marli Salmon, and Tommy Setford were deemed too young for selection across various age groups.

According to Arseblog, most Arsenal players will receive a brief rest period before joining their national teams, with Saka scheduled to appear in New York on June 3rd for a WhatsApp promotional film alongside Thierry Henry.

The substantial representation at the World Cup reflects Arsenal’s transformation into a club capable of attracting and developing top international talent. However, the expanded tournament format means these players will have shortened summer breaks, potentially impacting pre-season preparations for the 2026-27 campaign.