Seven EFL players swap World Cup nights for club battles

Seven English Football League players were eliminated from the World Cup over the weekend, with Wolves striker Raul Jimenez and West Ham defender Edson Alvarez among those whose campaigns ended as their national sides fell in the knockout rounds.

Jimenez and Alvarez featured for Mexico, which lost 3‑2 to England in a last‑16 clash at the Azteca Stadium in the early hours of Monday. Jimenez scored three goals for his country, including a 69th‑minute penalty against the Three Lions.

After the tournament, Jimenez will return to Molineux to ready for the Championship season, having signed from Fulham this summer. His club duties now take precedence as the Wolves prepare for the new campaign.

Southampton forward Cyle Larin and Norwich City midfielder Ali Ahmed played for Canada in the last‑16 match against Morocco on Saturday, which ended in a 3‑0 defeat for the co‑hosts. Larin’s two group‑stage goals helped Canada reach the knockout stage for the first time in its history.

Middlesbrough defender Alfie Jones was also part of Mexico’s squad but did not feature in any match.

Leicester City duo Jordan Ayew and Abdul Fatawu represented Ghana in a 1‑0 loss to Colombia in the last‑32 on Saturday. Both will now re‑join Leicester City as the Premier League season approaches.