James Milton: Which lightly raced runners are primed to peak at the World Cup?

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It was another week of pulsating Champions League action (unless you were watching Arsenal) as European heavyweights Liverpool, Barcelona and Real Madrid fell by the wayside.

Holders Paris Saint-Germain have set up a semi-final tie against Bayern Munich that will have footballing gourmets drooling down their bibs.

But the pace and intensity of this week's quarter-final second legs (unless you were watching Arsenal) must be a concern for international managers preparing for the World Cup.

Liverpool and France forward Hugo Ekitike suffered an Achilles injury against PSG, ruling him out of this summer's tournament.

Real Madrid's Brazilian winger Rodrygo is another high-profile absentee and, sadly, more World Cup hopefuls are likely to be sidelined before the end of the European club season.

The gruelling schedule, compounded by last summer's expanded Club World Cup, means even the stars who avoid injury will be affected by fatigue and burnout. 

Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk, for example, has been an ever-present for Liverpool in the Premier League and Champions League – a heavy burden for a 34-year-old.

On a more positive note, here are five European-based players who should still be fresh enough to break into a canter at the World Cup, despite the sweltering conditions in North America.

Bruno Fernandes (Portugal)

Fixture congestion is the bane of modern football but Manchester United have come up with an elegant solution this season.

Step one: Fail to qualify for Europe. Step two: Lose to Grimsby in the EFL Cup second round. Step three: Go out of the FA Cup at the earliest opportunity. Sorted!

United captain Bruno Fernandes, usually one of the hardest-working men in European football, has benefited from a vastly reduced shift in 2025-26.

The Portugal playmaker, 16-1 to win the Golden Ball for player of the tournament, has played 2,529 Premier League minutes – 146 fewer than Arsenal and England midfielder Declan Rice.

Even though Rice was rested during Arsenal's FA Cup run, his workload has featured 1,088 minutes of Champions League and EFL Cup football while Fernandes was recharging his batteries. 

Portugal are already reaping the rewards as Fernandes scored his first international hat-trick in November's 9-1 qualifying rout of Armenia and set up both goals in this month's 2-0 friendly win over the USA.

Jamal Musiala (Germany)

Bayern Munich's Jamal Musiala, one of the stars of Euro 2024, suffered a broken leg against PSG at last summer's Club World Cup.

The Germany playmaker returned to action in January but an ankle injury last month means Bayern have kept him on light duties. 

Musiala claimed a goal and an assist in last weekend's Bundesliga win at St Pauli on only his third league start of the campaign.

He came off the bench in Wednesday's Champions League thriller against Real, setting up Luis Diaz's equaliser with a slick backheel. 

Musiala finished as the joint-top scorer at the Euros, making Uefa's Team of the Tournament, and he should have enough time to build up his fitness for Germany's World Cup tilt.

Netherlands star Denzel Dumfries could have a big tournamentCredit: Getty Images

Denzel Dumfries (Netherlands)

Dutch dynamo Denzel Dumfries shone during Inter's run to last season's Champions League final, scoring twice and claiming three assists in the unforgettable 7-6 aggregate win against Barcelona in the semis.

An ankle injury in early November required surgery and Dumfries was sidelined until February 24, returning as a late sub in the second leg of Inter's humiliating Champions League exit to Bodo/Glimt.

The ace wing-back has looked back to his best recently, scoring two goals in last weekend's 4-3 Serie A win at Como.

And, judging by his 12th-minute red card in last month's friendly against Ecuador, the 71-cap defender has lost none of his competitive edge.

Ousmane Dembele (France)

Liverpool's hopes of a second-leg comeback against PSG were snuffed out by Ousmane Dembele's late double at Anfield.

The 2025 Ballon d'Or winner has had a stop-start season, troubled by hamstring and calf injuries, but his first goal on Wednesday night was a reminder of his outstanding ability.

Despite playing only 835 minutes of Ligue 1 football, Dembele has still racked up ten goals and five assists for the European champions.

His only involvement during France's World Cup qualifying campaign was a 36-minute substitute appearance against Ukraine but he should play a far more significant role at the finals.

Alexander Isak (Sweden)

Alexander Isak has cost Liverpool more than £40m per goal since his arrival from Newcastle last summer but could the injury-hit striker be primed to peak at the World Cup?

Isak started against PSG on Tuesday and, with Ekitike sidelined, he should get more playing time before joining up with Graham Potter's Sweden squad.

The Swedes were abject in qualifying but snuck into the playoffs thanks to their Nations League results.

Viktor Gyokeres's goals powered them past Ukraine and Poland and a World Cup triumph for Potter's Sweden with Isak and Gyokeres up front would be a hell of a redemption story.  

Read more on the 2026 World Cup:

Five teams who can outperform their massive odds this summer 

Focusing on the five favourites for the 2026 World Cup 

First Impressions: Aaron Ashley puts the spotlight on the four nations making their World Cup debuts this summer 

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