Chelsea have 11 representatives at the 2026 World Cup this summer, including those currently out on loan at other clubs, but when will Chelsea fans get to see their stars in action?
The World Cup gets underway on Thursday evening as hosts Mexico take on South Africa at The Azteca Stadium. The second match sees South Korea face the Czech Republic, before Canada face Bosnia.
With 48 nations in action this summer, the 2026 World Cup is the biggest it has ever been. More games and a new round of 32 has been introduced. Some third-placed sides will qualify for the knockouts.
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Chelsea have 11 players involved in the World Cup. A big number, despite Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro, Andrey Santos, Estevao and others missing out. John Terry thinks Palmer and Levi Colwill were unlucky.
But when will Chelsea supporters get to see their beloved stars in action? Below, we list when the Blues stars take to the field for the first time, with Moises Caicedo and Kendry Paez up first for Chelsea.
When Chelsea’s 11 players play their first World Cup match
Moises Caicedo, Kendry Paez – Ecuador vs Ivory Coast (14th June, 9pm)
Caicedo and Paez do battle in a tough opener against Didier Drogba’s nation on Sunday evening, with Caicedo looking to lead his nation in the knockouts. Paez suffered a knock ahead of the tournament.
Marc Cucurella – Spain vs Cape Verde (15th June, 5pm)
One of the favourites for the tournament, Spain begin their campaign against Cape Verde. Cucurella might not be a Chelsea player for much longer, but he is expected to play a key role for Spain.
Mike Penders – Belgium vs Egypt (15th June, 8pm)
Penders will return to Chelsea to fight for the no.1 role this summer, but ahead of doing so, he will be providing back-up to Thibaut Courtois. The chances are, Penders will warm the bench this summer.
Malo Gusto, Nicolas Jackson, Mamadou Sarr – France vs Senegal (June 16th, 8pm)
The first game in which Chelsea have players going up against each other. Senegal will be hoping for a good tournament after Sarr and Jackson were harshly stripped of their African Cup of Nations title.
Both players are likely to start for Senegal, while Gusto is expected to provide back-up for Barcelona defender Jules Kounde. But there is every chance that Gusto could get game time from the bench.
Enzo Fernandez – Argentina vs Algeria (June 17th, 2am)
Like Cucurella, Fernandez might not be a Chelsea player come the end of the tournament, but for now his focus will be on retaining the World Cup. For Chelsea fans, it is the first of the overnight matches.
Pedro Neto – Portugal vs DR Congo (June 17th, 6pm)
It has been a tricky season for Neto, but he is in contention to start against DR Congo next Wednesday. He is likely to compete with new Chelsea target Rafael Leao, who was sent off in a friendly against Chile.
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Chelsea have been linked with both this summer.
Reece James – England vs Croatia (June 17th, 9pm)
England’s first game comes after a friendly against Costa Rica on June 10th. James is expected to start at right-back, but Thomas Tuchel does have Tino Livramento, Jarell Quansah and Ezri Konsa as options.
Jorrel Hato – Netherlands vs Uzbekistan (June 18th, 2am)
Arguably Chelsea’s most-improved player during 2025-26, Hato will be hoping to play a part during the summer. It is unclear if he will start, but he is certainly pushing to be a part of the Netherlands side.
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