With the 2026 FIFA World Cup now under way, we take a look back at the Charlton Athletic players that have represented their countries on football’s grandest stage.
Addicks striker Lyndon Dykes, who remains in discussions with the club with his contract set to expire this summer, is poised to become Charlton’s fifth player to play at a World Cup for his nation.
The first Charlton player to appear at a World Cup was Scottish defender John Hewie, who represented the Tartan Army at the 1958 tournament in Sweden.
Hewie featured in two matches for Scotland, making his World Cup debut in a 1-1 draw against Yugoslavia. The Tartan Army's next outing saw them face France, who ran out 2-1 victors. The former Addicks defender came agonisingly close to getting on the scoresheet when Scotland were awarded a spot-kick, but saw his penalty strike the post.
Hewie’s club teammate Trevor Edwards was selected as part of the Wales squad at the 1958 World Cup, but did not register an appearance.
The 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan saw two Charlton players play for their countries on the global stage.
Kinsella was selected by Mick McCarthy and featured in four matches for the Republic of Ireland during their impressive run to the last 16. The midfielder started all three of Ireland's group stage fixtures, lining up alongside future Addicks midfielder Matt Holland.
The Boys in Green earned hard-fought 1-1 draws against Cameroon and Germany before securing their place in the knockout rounds with a convincing 3-0 victory over Saudi Arabia. A second-place finish in Group E set up a last 16 tie with Spain and Kinsella featured once again as they battled to a 1-1 draw after extra time, but their World Cup journey ended following a 3-2 defeat on penalties.
Then Charlton goalkeeper Dean Kiely was also included in the Republic of Ireland squad in 2002 alongside Kinsella, but did not feature in any matches, with Shay Given established as the first-choice goalkeeper throughout the tournament.
The other Addick to play at the 2002 World Cup was Danish midfielder Claus Jensen.
A fans' favourite at The Valley, Jensen made one appearance for his nation during the tournament, coming off the bench in their last 16 tie against England, however, the Danes were unable to halt Sven-Göran Eriksson's side, who ran out 3-0 winners.
The most recent Charlton player to feature at a World Cup was Reza Ghoochannejad, who represented Iran at the 2014 tournament in Brazil.
The forward featured in all three of Iran's group stage matches in South America, starting with a goalless draw against Nigeria, before suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to Argentina. He then capped off his World Cup campaign by scoring Iran's only goal of the tournament in a 3-1 loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Ghoochannejad cemented his place in Addicks folklore, becoming the first ever Charlton player to find the net at a World Cup.
Meanwhile, there is likely to be a source of pride for Charlton at this summer's tournament with academy graduate Ezri Konsa hoping to become the second of the club's youth products to play at a World Cup, following Robert Lee's single outing for England at France 98.
Fellow academy graduate Nick Pope was included in England's squad for the 2022 World Cup, but did not make an appearance, with Jordan Pickford retaining his place as Gareth Southgate's first-choice goalkeeper throughout the tournament.
