Chelsea Players at the World Cup: All You Need to Know

Tomorrow evening, at 20:00 BST, the 2026 FIFA World Cup will begin when Mexico host South Africa in Mexico City, exactly 16 years to the day since the same sides played the opening game in Johannesburg.

Over the next few weeks, there will be lots of action for Chelsea players. Let’s take a look at what the schedule looks like for each and every one of them.

There are no Blues players in Group A-D, so the first action for any players will be in Group E when Moises Caicedo and Kendry Paez take to the field for Ecuador’s opening game against Ivory Coast on Sunday night, with the game officially kicking off at midnight (so Monday morning 00:00 BST). They will then face Curacao on the 21st at 01:00, before concluding their group against Germany on the 25th at 21:00.

It remains to be seen if Caicedo will be able to play in the opener against the Ivorians. He was sent off in Ecuador’s final qualifier, and thus most recent competitive game, but Cristiano Ronaldo managed to have his suspension lifted, so let’s see. Hopefully not one rule for some and one for others.

In Group F, Jarrel Hato’s Netherlands outfit begin their campaign against Japan on Saturday, the 14th at 21:00. They then face Sweden on the 20th at 18:00, before finishing off the group stages against Tunisia on the 26th at 00:00.

Meanwhile in Group G, Mike Penders’ Belgium side face Egypt on the 15th at 20:00, Iran at the same time on the 21st, and New Zealand on the 27th at 04:00.

Over in Group H, Marc Cucurella and Spain open their tournament against Cape Verde on the 15th at 17:00, before kicking off against Saudi Arabia at the same time on the 21st. To finish off, they will play Uruguay on the 27th at 01:00.

Down in Group I, the schedule for Mamadou Sarr, Nicolas Jackon and Senegal looks like: France on the 16th at 20:00, Norway on the 23rd at 01:00, and Iraq on the 26th at 20:00.

Also in that group are Malo Gusto’s France side. Their schedule begins with the aforementioned game against Senegal, followed by Iraq on the 22nd at 22:00, before Norway on the 26th at 20:00.

Next up in Group J, Enzo Fernandez’s Argentina side begin their campaign against Algeria on the 17th June at 02:00, followed by a clash with Austria on the 22nd at 18:00. Their third game comes against debutants Jordan on the 28th at 03:00.

In Group K, Pedro Neto and Portugal face DR Congo on the 17th at 18:00, Uzbekistan on the 23rd at 18:00, before finishing off against Colombia on the 28th at 00:30.

Into the final Group, Group L, where Reece James’ England begin their tournament against Croatia on the 17th June at 21:00, before playing Ghana at the same time on the 23rd. To finish the group stage, they face Panama on the 27th at 22:00.