Premier League Leads Player Representation in 2026 World Cup Semi-Finals as Lee Kang‑in Nears Atletico Move

An analysis of the 2026 North America World Cup semi‑finalists shows that 104 players (26 per team) are drawn heavily from Europe’s top leagues. The English Premier League supplies the most players, with 39 athletes, followed by Spain’s La Liga with 32. Barcelona alone contributes 11 players, making it the club with the highest representation. England’s squad features 20 of its 26 members from the Premier League, while Spain fields 18 La Liga players. France, Italy, Germany and other major leagues also have notable presence, together accounting for over 90% of the semi‑finalists.

South Korean midfielder Lee Kang‑in, who played for Paris Saint‑Germain in the tournament, is on the verge of a transfer to La Liga side Atlético Madrid. The club’s medical director visited Korea to conduct Lee’s medical examination, confirming that the deal is in its final stages. Reports suggest a transfer fee just above €40 million. The move would see Lee join a team that already has several World Cup semi‑finalists in its roster.