Iraola faces depleted squad for preseason as World Cup disrupts Liverpool's July plans

Andoni Iraola could be without up to eight Liverpool players for the start of preseason training on July 13, with the 2026 World Cup threatening to disrupt the new head coach’s preparations for the Premier League campaign ahead.

Liverpool have representatives across several nations still in contention at the tournament, including captain Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands), Alexis Mac Allister (Argentina), Florian Wirtz (Germany), and new signing Victor Munoz (Spain). Germany and Argentina have already secured their places in the knockout rounds, guaranteeing further absences into July.

The club operates a policy that grants players three weeks of rest after their international tournament ends. With the World Cup’s round of 16 beginning on July 4, any player progressing that far is likely to miss Liverpool’s three-game pre-season tour of the United States, which opens with a friendly against Sunderland on July 25. Iraola may not have a full squad available until early August — just weeks before the new season begins.

Liverpool have already moved in the transfer market this summer, securing deals for Victor Munoz, Jeremy Jacquet, and young defender Ifeanyi Ndukwe, whose development the club intends to manage carefully. Further additions are expected, though the future of one reported target remains uncertain.

Teenager Yan Diomande, 19, has been linked with a move to Anfield, but Jamie Carragher has publicly questioned whether Liverpool should follow through on a pursuit reported to be worth £112 million. Diomande is currently representing Ivory Coast at the World Cup, with the side facing Curacao in their final group-stage fixture. Whether the club ultimately moves for the midfielder remains to be seen as Iraola looks to shape his squad ahead of the 2026/27 season.