Palace’s World Cup Hopefuls — Who’s Heading to 2026?

Crystal Palace arrive at the international crossroads with a decent clutch of players who could be packing their bags for World Cup 2026. Names like Marc Guehi, Chris Richards and Borna Sosa have become familiar on the global stage, and each will be fighting tooth and nail to earn a plane ticket next summer.

The set-up

A recent power ranking looked at Palace’s candidates, and there are few suprises: some are near-certainties, others need a dream season or an injury elsewhere. If Palace’s stars stay fit and rediscover form, several should be in the mix for national managers — but there’s no room for complacency. For those who like a flutter on future squads, have a peek at the odds on betting sites uk — but remember, form and minutes do the talking.

13. Jean-Philippe Mateta

Mateta showed up well at the Olympics, banging in five goals in six games, but that tournament remains his main international calling card. He’s yet to establish himself with France’s senior side in friendlies or qualifiers. In short: he’d probably need a run of spectacular fitness and results to force his way into a World Cup plane.

12. Chadi Riad

Riad has international pedigree with Morocco but hasn’t been a regular in Palace’s matchday XI, and that lack of consistent minutes will hurt his prospects. He’s only made a handful of appearances for his country and missed the most recent call-up — perhaps through injury or simply because he’s not played enough.

11. Christantus Uche

Uche earned a spot in Nigeria’s latest squad but is in a crowded forward department. He brings versatility, which helps, yet he’s competing with the likes of Victor Osimhen and others for starts. His most recent cameo was brief — 20 minutes off the bench against South Africa — so he’ll need to make those minutes count.

10. Yeremy Pino

Pino has already racked up international experience for Spain despite being only 22, but his move to Palace has coincided with limited playing time. That drop in minutes cost him a place in the most recent Spanish squad. He’s certainly capable, but he’ll have to reignite his club form to force his way back into Luis de la Fuente’s plans.

9. Adam Wharton

Wharton is a name Palace supporters are keen to see more of. The youngster got a national call-up recently but withdrew due to injury and has only made a single senior appearance for Palace so far. If he stays fit and Tuchel hands him opportunities, he could be a dark horse — but competition from club colleagues like Elliott Anderson means nothing is guaranteed.

8. Borna Sosa

Sosa has been a regular for Croatia in recent years and was involved in their latest squad, turning out against the Faroe Islands. At club level he’s currently behind Tyrick Mitchell in the pecking order, which limits his minutes, but that shouldn’t rule him out of Croatia’s plans if he can keep appearances ticking over.

7. Daichi Kamada

Kamada is a staple of Japan’s side with over 40 caps to his name. During the last international window he featured as a starter and a substitute, and that kind of dependable involvement suggests he’s well-placed to travel to 2026 — provided Japan qualify and he retains the form that earned him those caps.

6. Ismaila Sarr

Sarr is one of Palace’s more seasoned internationals, with well over 70 caps for Senegal. He’s typically a regular for the national team, though an injury kept him out of the most recent squad. If he’s fit for the big moments later in the campaign, he should be near the front of the queue for a World Cup spot.

5. Jefferson Lerma

Now in his thirties, Lerma remains a trusted figure for Colombia — starting both matches in the last international break. He hasn’t started in the Premier League yet this season for Palace, but Colombia clearly value what he brings. Expect him to be in the conversation as long as he keeps his fitness and form consistent.

4. Daniel Muñoz

Muñoz looks one of the more nailed-on selections from this group if Colombia are to qualify. The full-back has chalked up more than 40 caps and featured against Venezuela recently, even if he missed another fixture earlier in the month. If he stays injury-free and keeps performing for Palace, a World Cup trip looks likely.

Bottom line: Palace have several genuine contenders for international squads in 2026, but minutes at club level and fitness will be the decisive factors. Keep an eye on performances between now and the qualifiers — and remember, international football is a ruthless business: only the fittest and most in-form make the final cut.

For the full power-ranking and more opinionated takes, Palace fans should bask in the idea that come 2026 there could be a decent Palace contingent representing their countries.