Five Liverpool players who have already qualified for World Cup and where Reds are playing this week

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Five Liverpool players have already qualified for next year's World Cup, and there are several more who can do so in the next few deaysFive Liverpool players have already booked their places to the 2026 World Cup, but plenty more can still make the cut, with 13 others having the opportunity to take their nations to next year's biggest football party.Being held between June 11 and July 19, the competition takes place in three countries, with the joint hosts being United States of America, Canada and Mexico. With the tournament expanding from 32 teams to 48 for the next edition, there are plenty of places up for grabs that some of Liverpool’s senior players might be eyeing up.So far, 28 countries have qualified before the final round of fixtures, and for others, there are the potential of play-offs to follow early next year.READ MORE: Liverpool step onto fascinating transfer merry-go-round as wildcard options emergesREAD MORE: Liverpool could be signing 'one of best defenders in the world' as £88m offer 'prepared'Liverpool players who have already qualifiedFive of Liverpool’s international stars have already been able to celebrate, knowing their squads will be off to the three host nations next year.Japan skipper Wataru Endo was the first to secure his side's place, whilst fellow international captain Mohamed Salah also led his Egypt team to qualification.

It will be the winger's second international tournament in six months, with the African Cup of Nations starting at the end of this calendar year.Under England boss Thomas Tuchel, Curtis Jones has been more involved in the plans for the Three Lions, though an injury disrupted early season has left the midfielder out of the squad for the upcoming fixtures. Jones will hope he gains enough minutes in Arne Slot’s side to aid his chances of being included for England next summer.Meanwhile two of the Reds’ South American contingent are also looking towards the World Cup, as reigning champions Argentina, with Alexis Mac Allister in their midfield, have qualified, while Alisson’s Brazil side also making it through.Who else could qualify?With the final round of qualifying fixtures on the horizon, there are still plenty of Liverpool’s senior squad on the brink of being included in next year’s tournament.The Netherlands find themselves needing one win in their last two qualifiers with the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, Cody Gakpo and Jeremie Frimpong all eyeing the tournament, although the full-back will be unavailable for the upcoming fixtures due to injury.For Ibrahima Konate and Hugo Ekitike, their French squad find themselves in the same situation, with a singular victory over the next few days being enough.Things aren’t so easy for Hungary, as Dominik Szoboszlai and Milos Kerkez need to find some good results, whilst being in a fight with Ireland and Armenia for a play-off position.Florian Wirtz’s Germany lead the way in Group A, but two wins could still be needed, with a potential clash with Slovakia as the final game, which might prove to be the decider, as they both currently sit on nine points after four matches.Scotland have already secured a play-off place, but two wins in their final couple of games would see Andy Robertson’s side heading straight through at top spot.Italy find themselves in the same situations as the Scots, as wins against Moldova and Norway would provide them with enough points to go top of their group.

However, Liverpool’s Federico Chiesa won’t be part of the November squad, as the winger has made himself available for international call-up.Conor Bradley and Alexander Isak are both still able to make it through the play-offs, thanks to their Nations League ranking. The Northern Ireland squad can still get that via the group, but Sweden are pretty much dead and buried in terms of their qualifying fixtures, with the Nations League route offering them a World Cup lifeline.Lastly, Georgia could still mathematically qualify, but for Giorgi Mamardashvili, a World Cup trip is looking unlikely.