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It promises to be a busy summer for Napoli after the Serie A runners-up parted ways with title-winning manager Antonio Conte at the end of the season. Meanwhile, the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup will offer the Partenopei<\/em> more time to prepare for what shapes up to be a massive overhaul.<\/p>\n Despite going neck and neck with Inter in a fierce Scudetto<\/em> race for most of the season, only a handful of Napoli players will appear in this summer\u2019s tournament. It\u2019s largely due to Italy\u2019s failed quest to return to the World Cup for the first time since 2014.<\/span><\/p>\n As things stand, only four Partenopei<\/em> stars will feature in the North American showpiece. Without further ado, let\u2019s take a closer look at the Napoli players set to represent their countries at the most heavily anticipated sporting event of 2026.<\/span><\/p>\n Scotland will make their first World Cup appearance since 1998 after beating Denmark to top spot in qualifying Group C by the skin of their teeth. Despite their impressive form in the qualifying cycle, Steve Clarke\u2019s men must defy the odds to reach the knockout stages, with Brazil and Morocco widely viewed as the group\u2019s strongest contenders.<\/span><\/p>\n Unlike their neighbors, the Republic of Ireland flopped in the UEFA qualifying campaign, prompting many new Irish betting sites to keep a close eye on Scotland\u2019s progress in North America. All eyes will be on Napoli talisman Scott McTominay, who topped his country\u2019s scoring charts in Group C with two goals and one assist.<\/span><\/p>\n Though he failed to replicate his MVP form from 2024\/25, McTominay enjoyed another impressive season at the Diego Maradona Stadium. The 29-year-old midfielder scored 14 goals and added four assists across 44 matches in all competitions, establishing himself as Napoli\u2019s standout performer for the second season in a row.<\/span><\/p>\n On the other hand, another underwhelming campaign saw Clarke leave Billy Gilmour out of the squad.<\/span><\/p>\n This summer\u2019s tournament might be Kevin De Bruyne\u2019s last chance to win a major piece of silverware with Belgium. One of the few remaining members of the nation\u2019s much-vaunted yet ultimately unfulfilled \u2018golden generation,\u2019 the veteran playmaker heads into what is likely to be his last World Cup determined to rewrite the narrative of repeated near misses.<\/span><\/p>\n However, it\u2019s worth noting that the former Manchester City superstar endured a frustrating season under Conte, making just 18 Serie A outings. Despite his limited first-team opportunities, the 34-year-old tallied five goals and two assists, but De Bruyne\u2019s importance to the team stretches well beyond his on-field influence.<\/span><\/p>\n The same applies to Belgium\u2019s all-time top scorer, Romelu Lukaku, who managed just five league games in 2025\/26 due to a severe hamstring injury. Nevertheless, De Rode Duivels boss Rudi Garcia couldn\u2019t omit the 125-capped striker from his squad.<\/span><\/p>\n Defensive solidity emerged as one of Napoli\u2019s standout qualities under Conte, with Mathias Olivera becoming one of the key components of the Partenopei<\/em>\u2019s steely backline. With 25 league games under his belt this term, the Uruguayan was one of the most consistent defenders in Serie A.<\/span><\/p>\n Olivera is perfectly capable of covering multiple positions along the defensive line and is expected to play a prominent role in Marcelo Bielsa\u2019s setup this summer. Though he is primarily a left-back, the former Getafe man can also operate as a center-back, a position he frequently occupied during Conte\u2019s regime.<\/span><\/p>\n Furthermore, he has earned 35 caps for Uruguay since making his senior debut in 2022 and was one of their best performers in CONMEBOL qualifying. His experience and adaptability should make him a crucial asset for La Celeste<\/em> in North America.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p><\/div>\nScott McTominay [Scotland]<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Kevin De Bruyne & Romelu Lukaku [Belgium]<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Mathias Olivera [Uruguay]<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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