Three Leeds United World Cup links, featuring Marcelo Bielsa, Raphinha and an England rival | OneFootball

The World Cup begins tonight across the USA, Canada and Mexico. Leeds United supporters have plenty to follow.

According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, four current Leeds players are involved. Gabriel Gudmundsson’s Sweden meet Ao Tanaka’s Japan, while Brenden Aaronson is with the USA and Noah Okafor with Switzerland.

Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay started brightly after his May 2023 appointment, beating Argentina and Brazil, then dipped. A public fallout with Luis Suarez preceded a 5-1 defeat to the USA last November, prompting calls for his sacking. He instead held a two-hour press conference and said he would see out the World Cup.

This is his third World Cup on a third continent after Argentina at Japan 2002 and Chile at South Africa 2010. Uruguay are in Group H with Spain, Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia.

Raphinha debuted for Brazil in 2021 after shining for Leeds, then a £55million move to Barcelona cemented his place. A hamstring issue earlier this year has eased and, under Carlo Ancelotti, he lines up with Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo. It is his second World Cup after Qatar 2022 and he is yet to score. Brazil are favourites to progress from Group C with Morocco, Haiti and Scotland.

Thomas Christiansen has led Panama to only their second World Cup since July 2020. They have climbed from 78th to 33rd in FIFA’s rankings, with Norwich City defender Jose Cordoba the sole UK-based player. Panama lost all three in 2018 and now face Croatia, Ghana and England in Group L.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk