The 2026 FIFA World Cup has advanced to the knockout phase, with 64 players from Serie A and Serie B clubs remaining in contention as the Round of 32 gets under way. Italy may have missed qualification for the second consecutive tournament, but the peninsula’s clubs continue to wield significant influence in North America.
AC Milan head the club representation with ten players spread across eight different national teams. The Rossoneri contingent includes French duo Mike Maignan and Adrien Rabiot, Portugal’s Rafael Leão, Croatia captain Luka Modric, and United States forward Christian Pulisic. Belgian pair Koni De Winter and Alexis Saelemaekers, Mexican striker Santiago Gimenez, Ecuador’s Pervis Estupinan and Switzerland’s Ardon Jashari complete the Milan cohort.
Club Breakdown and National Contingents
Atalanta follow closely with eight representatives, including Brazil midfielder Ederson, Belgium’s Charles De Ketelaere, and Dutch defender Marten De Roon. Inter Milan have six players remaining, among them World Cup holders Lautaro Martinez of Argentina and France striker Marcus Thuram. Juventus contribute five, featuring Canadian forward Jonathan David and American Weston McKennie.
In total, 19 clubs from Italy’s top two tiers still have players involved. Croatia feature the most Italian-based talent with seven squad members drawn from Milan, Inter, Como, Atalanta, Torino, Bologna and Fiorentina. Belgium and Norway each have five representatives.
Genoa defender Leo Ostigard, part of Norway’s quintet, became the first Serie A player to score at this World Cup during the group stage. His compatriots include Bologna’s Torbjorn Heggem, Torino’s Marcus Holmgren Pedersen, Cremonese’s Morten Thorsby and Sassuolo’s Kristian Thorstvedt.
The Knockout Phase Begins
The expanded 48-team format has trimmed to 32 sides following the conclusion of group play. The knockout bracket opens with South Africa facing co-hosts Canada, with the victor set to encounter either Argentina or Denmark in the next round.
With Italy absent, supporters of Italian clubs may gravitate toward Croatia given their strong Serie A contingent, particularly as Modric likely contests his final World Cup. Belgian fans will track Napoli’s Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, while Atalanta supporters have eight different nations to follow. Regardless of national loyalties, Serie A’s footprint remains substantial as the tournament progresses beyond the group stage.