Arsenal pre-season: What will happen to the World Cup players? When is the first game?
Clubs

Arsenal pre-season: What will happen to the World Cup players? When is the first game?

July 23, 2026 · TaegeukGoal

Arsenal are preparing for the new season with players returning from the World Cup, and have shared their injury recovery status and plans for the pre-season schedule.

Arsenal pre-season: What will happen to the World Cup players? When is the first game?

NewsAccording to.

background

Mikel Merino won the World Cup with Spain and is expected to play a key role in Arsenal's midfield. His performances are vital for Arsenal to have a successful season in the Premier League.

Why it's important

Arsenal are preparing for a new season as Premier League champions after 20 years, and the form of their players returning from the World Cup will have a big impact on their prospects for the season. In particular, the recovery of key players such as Mikel Merino from injuries can have a direct impact on the team's performance.

Key takeaways

  • Arsenal pre-season: What will happen to the World Cup players? When is the first game?
  • Arsenal are preparing for the new season with players returning from the World Cup, and have shared their injury recovery status and plans for the pre-season schedule.
  • Arsenal’s pre-season: What happens to their World Cup players? When is the first game?.
With the World Cup wrapping up, soccer fans' attention has turned to transfers and domestic leagues. Arsenal are preparing for their first season as Premier League champions in 20 years, but preparations will proceed a little differently following the big international competition. Let's take this opportunity to take a look at the situation of players representing their countries in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Arsenal had 15 players participate in the World Cup. Among them, players who have won titles for Spain include Mikel Merino, Martin Zuvimendi and David Raya, while those who have represented England include Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Ebereci Eze and Noni Madueke. Additionally, Gabriel and Gabriel Martinelli played together for the Brazilian national team. The remaining six Arsenal players are Martin Odegaard (Norway), Kai Havertz (Germany), Victor Gjokeres (Sweden), Piero Hincapie (Ecuador), William Saliba (France) and Leandro Trossar (Belgium). Trosar moved to Besiktas for 20 million euros. In addition to the Spanish champions, England's four players made it to the final weekend of the tournament, where they won the third-place match against France on July 18. Saliba missed that match due to injury. Odegaard and Trossard advanced to the quarter-finals, while Martinelli and Gabriel were eliminated in the round of 16. Havertz, Gyokeres, and Hincapie were eliminated in the round of 32. Saliba missed France's 6-4 loss to England through injury, forcing him to sit out the game after enduring months of minor pain. The extent of his injuries and recovery time are not yet known. Rice (hamstring) and Saka (Achilles) were also players of injury concern for Arsenal ahead of the World Cup. They missed some training sessions and games under England coach Thomas Tuchel's management, but did feature and score in their final game. Image All players participating in the World Cup are required to rest for at least three weeks after their country's competition ends. It will be up to manager Mikel Arteta and his staff how they will be integrated in training sessions and practice matches during this period. Players eliminated in the round of 32 are scheduled to return this week. Brazil's last-16 exit was on July 5, so Gabriel and Martinelli will be available for their first official pre-season match against Spanish side Girona on August 1. Odegaard is also expected to return after that trip. Arsenal's third and final friendly is scheduled for a home game against Borussia Dortmund on August 9, three weeks after the final weekend of the World Cup. Players who advanced to the quarterfinals may return after this match. Rice and Saka returned for Arsenal's final pre-season friendly following England's run to the final of the 2024 European Championship. With the World Cup ending on July 19, there was little time left for pre-season tours. Arsenal have a lot of World Cup-bound players this season, making their moves around the world less meaningful and also resulting in a shorter pre-season period. So Arsenal are planning to hold two practice matches elsewhere in Europe. The schedule is as follows: Girona (away) on Saturday, August 1, Real Betis (neutral — Dublin Aviva Stadium) on Wednesday, August 5, Borussia Dortmund (home) on Sunday, August 9, and Como (home) on Wednesday, August 12. Premier League champions Arsenal will play FA Cup winners Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday, August 16. The match will be played at the Principality Stadium instead of Wembley, England's national stadium. Arsenal will open the season with a match against 2025-26 Championship winners Coventry City on Friday, August 21 at 20:00. Arsenal reporter Art de Rocher has been covering Arsenal for football.london since 2019.

future outlook

Arsenal are set to play their first official pre-season game against Spanish side Girona on August 1 and are planning to adjust their training to coincide with the return of players who missed out on the World Cup. In addition, we plan to check the players' game sense through the final friendly match against Borussia Dortmund on August 9th.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Arsenal's first pre-season game?

Arsenal's first official pre-season game is away to Spanish side Girona on August 1.

How many pre-season friendlies are scheduled for Arsenal?

Arsenal have a total of four pre-season friendlies scheduled.

When is Arsenal's last pre-season game?

Arsenal's final pre-season friendly is at home to Como on August 12.

When will Arsenal's World Cup players return?

Players eliminated in the round of 32 are due to return this week, while those who reached the quarter-finals could return after Arsenal's final pre-season game.

How are you preparing for Arsenal's first season as Premier League champions?

Arsenal's pre-season preparations will be slightly different due to the number of players participating in the World Cup.

Related articles

Related articles

Related articles

Related articles

Share:
𝕏f📱