The 2022 World Cup starts on Sunday with Qatar taking on Ecuador at 4pm UK time.
England’s first game is on Monday at 10m UK time against Iran.
There will be plenty of Chelsea involvement in the World Cup of course, let’s have a look at each one here:
Denis Zakaria (Switzerland)
A chance to play some more needed games for Zakaria. He has started to come into the fold at Chelsea now and could do with the momentum as he started to look good.
Thiago Silva (Brazil)
Of course, Brazil were always going to take Thiago, and he will be equally as important to their campaign as he is for Chelsea this season. Still in decent form going into this.
Hakim Ziyech (Morocco)
He will welcome any game time he can get as he rarely plays for Chelsea these days. It will also be a shop window moment for him with the expectation being he is likely to leave Chelsea very soon.
Christian Pulisic (USA)
Always seems to play better for the USA, and he will be up against some of his Chelsea team mates at England. He could do with more minutes as well and a goal or two will really help.
Kai Havertz (Germany)
Poor form going into this but another player who plays better for country than club. He needs some good form and good matches under his belt badly now.
Conor Gallagher (England)
Surprise addition to the England squad really. I’d be surprised if he gets much game time, if at all.
Mason Mount (England)
He needs to pick his form up as well and I think he will count his lucky stars if he starts against Iran, but I expect him to.
Raheem Sterling (England)
The same as Mount really, doesn’t really deserve to start on recent form, but I expect him to start anyway.
Mateo Kovacic (Croatia)
Chelsea will just be hoping he, and all the others, comes back injury free having been playing through a knee injury recently.
Cesar Azpilicueta (Spain)
Chelsea’s captain continues to get trusted by Spain and I expect he will play a big part in their campaign.
Edouard Mendy (Senegal)
Needs a good run of games for confidence.
Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal)
Same as Mendy, Mount, Sterling, and others to be honest. Poor form of late and maybe this can give him the kick needed to regain the form we know he can produce when he comes back to Chelsea.
Romelu Lukaku (Belgium)
On loan at Inter Milan from Chelsea, but I doubt many Chelsea eyes will be on him!
Ethan Ampadu (Wales)
He will be heavily watched by Chelsea and Blues fans alike, as he is quietly having a decent season out on loan.
Baba Rahman (Ghana)
Surprised to see him going to the World Cup, but to be honest, I don’t think he has any future at Chelsea now anyway.
Let’s just pray for no serious injuries!
