The World Cup is only a few games away and is about to consume every footballing fan’s life. A handful of Leeds players will be jetting off to Qatar, and here is a list of the players that will, and could, be going to the World Cup:
Leeds players that could be going to the World Cup: Definitely going
Rasmus Kristensen (Denmark)
Kristensen produced his best performance in a Leeds shirt on Saturday. While he has started slightly under par at Leeds, his form for Denmark has been superb. Recently, shining in a 2-0 win over France. He is definitely going.
Tyler Adams (USA)
Adams has been the defensive heartbeat of the Leeds midfield. The £20million signing is just as important to Gregg Berhalter’s American side and will definitely be in Qatar, if he remains injury free. He will start against England.
Brenden Aaronson (USA)
Perhaps not solidified in the USA team as Adams is, Aaronson is still one of USMNT’s best players and has been in their last few games. He will definitely go, but the issue is that Berhalter likes to play Aaronson out wide.
Dan James (Wales)
James has gone on loan to Fulham in order to improve his game time, and keep his place in the Wales side. But James has been crucial to Rob Page’s side over the last few years and he will definitely be in the Wales squad.
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Leeds players that could be going to the World Cup: Could go
Illan Meslier (France)
Nine-time France Under-21 international Meslier is yet to get a senior call-up with France. But he was superb against Liverpool, and French media is tipping him for a plane ticket. He has a chance to break in at this late stage.
Robin Koch (Germany)
Koch, 26, was last called-up by Germany for the European Championships in 2021. But he remained an unused sub for the entire competition. Injuries have pushed him down the pecking order, but now he is fit and could return.
Diego Llorente (Spain)
10-time Spain international Llorente was part of Spain’s squad in the last international break, but did not play. He is struggling to start for Leeds ahead of Liam Cooper and Koch. But he still has a chance, with Luis Enrique a fan.
Rodrigo (Spain)
Rodrigo was last picked by Enrique in November 2021. His form for Leeds has seen him plummet down the Spain pecking order – but his six goals in 11 Premier League games might tempt Enrique to make a late call-up.
Pascal Struijk (Netherlands)
Struijk has decided to play for the Netherlands over Belgium. Louis van Gaal has said he will pick players that are versatile. Struijk is that. He was part of a preliminary squad for the last break, but did not make the final squad.
Mateusz Klich (Poland)
Klich, 32, was called-up for the last break. He made a sub appearance against The Netherlands, but was ousted from the side for a game against Wales. He is only making sub appearances for Leeds – so that one is up in the air.
Tyler Roberts (Wales)
Roberts was part of Wales’ squad in the last break, and has shown glimpses of quality in a promotion-chasing QPR side. But he has been in and out of the starting line-up, scoring two goals this season. He should be included.
Leeds players that could be going to the World Cup: Not going
Patrick Bamford (England)
Injuries have hampered any chance for Bamford to make Gareth Southgate’s squad. Tammy Abraham, Ivan Toney and Callum Wilson will be preferred to offer cover for Harry Kane, next month. He has no chance of a call-up.
Jack Harrison (England)
If Bamford has no chance, Harrison has a slightly larger chance – but it is still very, very unlikely. Harrison’s early-season form saw him touted with a call-up, but he was overlooked. No chance he makes it, after that snub.
Willy Gnonto (Italy)
If Italy were attending the World Cup, Gnonto would be going. But a defeat in a World Cup play-off to North Macedonia means Italy failed to qualify. The teen has six caps for Roberto Mancini’s side, even scoring once.
Luis Sinisterra (Colombia)
Like Gnonto and Italy, Sinisterra will not be attending the World Cup with Colombia because the South Americans failed to qualify. Sinisterra was missing from Saturday’s win over Liverpool, having picked up a knock.
Liam Cooper and Stuart Dallas will also miss out, with Scotland and Northern Ireland failing to qualify.
