The 2026 World Cup could become historic for FC Bayern even before the first kick-off. The German record champions are on the verge of setting a special World Cup record – and even surpassing Arsenal FC’s previous record
With the official squad announcement by national coach Julian Nagelsmann, the focus is not only on the German national team, but also on FC Bayern’s role at this tournament
After all, the Munich club could have more international players at the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico than any other club before
The current record comes from Arsenal FC, who provided a total of 17 players for various national teams at the 2006 World Cup
FC Bayern had already come very close to this record in 2022, when 16 Munich players were in their nations‘ World Cup squads. Sadio Mané’s absence due to injury ultimately prevented the record from being broken
Nagelsmann backs FC Bayern Germany
A total of seven Bayern professionals are in the German squad this time around, with Manuel Neuer, Jonathan Tah, Joshua Kimmich, Aleksandar Pavlović, Leon Goretzka, Jamal Musiala and Lennart Karl the seven players Julian Nagelsmann has nominated from the record champions
There is also Jonas Urbig, who is not officially part of the 26-man squad, but will travel with them as an additional training goalkeeper and could move up in an emergency
Bayern also have a large number of international players, including Harry Kane for England, Michael Olise and Dayot Upamecano for France and Josip Stanisic for Croatia
They will be joined by Konrad Laimer for Austria, Luis Díaz for Colombia, Hiroki Ito for Japan, Minjae Kim for South Korea and Alphonso Davies for Canada
What is particularly interesting is that even players on loan are contributing to the potential record. Bara Sapoko Ndiaye and Nicolas Jackson, two professionals currently on loan to FCB, have also been called up to the Senegalese World Cup squad. As both are still officially under contract with FC Bayern until 30 June, they are also counted towards the total
As things stand, this brings the Munich squad to a total of 18 World Cup players
Davies remains the big question mark
Whether FC Bayern will actually reach the historic mark currently depends above all on Alphonso Davies. The Canadian is still struggling to get fit in time for the tournament following his muscle injury
Should Davies be fit in time, Bayern would surpass both their own club record and Arsenal’s previous world record
This would once again underline the record champions‘ enormous international significance in world soccer.