English Premier League is contributing highest number of 123 footballers to World Cup 2018, followed by Spanish league La Liga and Bundesliga, Germany. La Liga and Bundesliga had a share of 81 and 66 players respectively in the World Club contingents reaching Russia this week. This study by Anytime-Football does not consider recent change of guard, in current transfer window.
All 23 players of England squad play in Premier League, whereas none of Sweden and Senegal players play in their respective domestic league.
European countries contributed to 545 players, who are playing domestic leagues in member of UEFA countries, whereas Asia (& Oceania), N. America, S. America and Africa contributed 83, 57, 34 and 17 players respectively.
Serie A (Italian League) contributed 61 players and stands fourth in the list of highest contributing leagues. Italy could not qualify for 2018 World Cup. Other leagues which contributed significantly in World cup contingent, but home country could not qualify for 2018 World Cup, are Turkey, United States and Netherlands.
For clubs, Manchester City tops the list, as they send 16 players, followed by La Liga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona FC. They contributed 15 and 14 players respectively. Paris Saint-Germain (League 1) and Tottenham Hotspur (EPL) send 12 players each. There are total 25 clubs, which sent 6 or more players to the World Cup. Al-Ahli and Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia are only two clubs outside Europe, which feature in this list.
