Who are the Manchester United stars competing at the World Cup? | OneFootball

Manchester United will have 14 players representing their respective nations at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which gets underway across the United States, Mexico and Canada on Thursday.

Following Michael Carrick’s first game in charge, United climbed from fifth to finish third in the Premier League, while also beating the traditional ‘big six’ of Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.

It comes as little surprise that United will have strong representation at this summer’s tournament, although there were several notable omissions from England national football team manager Thomas Tuchel.

Both Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw were left out of the England squad by the German coach, the former publicly expressing his disappointment to miss out on a third finals tournament.

FromTheSpot explores which United players got the nod and will represent the club on the world stage.

England – 1 player

England boss Thomas Tuchel has named a divisive squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer as he aims to claim England’s first World Cup trophy since 1966 – ending 60 years of hurt in the process.

The Three Lions defeat what was then West Germany in the final at the Old Wembley and have since been unable to secure a second world title.

Kobbie Mainoo is heading to his first ever World Cup tournament, but Tuchel has come under scrutiny by not naming United defenders Shaw and Maguire in his side to join forces with several other big names.

Maguire and Shaw enjoyed good seasons under Carrick, yet Mainoo is the only player on the team to get a place in the Three Lions’ team that will face Croatia, Ghana, and Panama in Group L.

Portugal – 2 players

Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot both made it into Roberto Martínez’s 26-man Portugal national football team squad, the former named both the Premier League and Football Writers Association’s Player of the Year.

Fernandes also broke the record for assists in a single season when his 21st of the 2025/26 campaign against Brighton surpassed the existing one held by both Arsenal legend Thierry Henry and Kevin de Bruyne.

The 31-year-old is set to feature in his third World Cup tournament after appearing at Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022, while Dalot will make his second appearance at football’s biggest tournament following his involvement in Qatar four years ago.

Portugal will be aiming to go one step further at the 2026 World Cup after their shock quarter-final defeat to Morocco at the quarter final stage of Qatar 2022, yet have since won the Nations League.

It could also mark a final World Cup appearance for United icon Cristiano Ronaldo, who returned for a second stint at the club in 2022, with Portugal targeting to make it beyond the quarters this time around.

They are in Group K with DR Congo, Colombia, and World Cup debutants Uzbekistan.

Argentina – 1 player

Lisandro Martinez has been called up to Lionel Scaloni’s 26-man World Cup squad in North America.

The defender featured in the World Cup winning squad in Qatar 2022, starting in the quarter-final against the Netherlands and coming off the bench in the semi-final against Croatia. He was an unused substitute in the final against France.

Argentina will be aiming to become the third country in history to win back-to-back FIFA World Cup titles, after Italy achieved it in 1934 and 1938, and Brazil in 1958 and 1962.

Argentina will face Algeria, Austria and World Cup debutants Jordan in Group J.

Belgium – 1 player

Senne Lammens, unsurprisingly, made it into Ruda Garcia’s 26-man squad for the upcoming World Cup. Widely considered one of the best United signings of the season, he proved crucial in fixing their issues in between the sticks.

This will be his first ever World Cup appearance, having made his senior debut for Belgium in November 2025 during their qualifying campaign and kept a clean sheet throughout.

The Red Devils will be up against Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand – the lowest-ranked side in the tournament – and are clear favourites to progress to the knockout stages, after a surprise exit at the group stage in Qatar four years ago.

Brazil – 2 players

Both Casemiro and Matheus Cunha have both been called up by Carlo Ancelotti to represent the five-time World Cup winners in their latest bid to extend their all-time leading number of triumphs with a first since Japan 2002.

While Casemiro officially departed United at the end of the season, it would seem unfair not to include him here after quite the upturn in form – a common theme among the playing staff since Carrick arrived.

Casemiro has played in two World Cups, also appearing in the tournaments held in 2018 and 2022, and is set to make his third appearance this summer, while Cuhna will make his debut on the world stage.

Brazil will face Morocco, Haiti and Scotland in Group C.

Ivory Coast – 1 player

Amad Diallo has been called up to Emerse Fae’s World Cup squad, having made his debut for the Ivory Coast five years ago in the African Cup of Nations.

The 23-year-old winger scored two goals and assisted three this season to secure his spot on the plane, it being his country’s fourth appearance at the World Cup finals to add to those in 2006, 2010, and 2014.

Ivory Coast has never progressed past the Group stage and will be hoping to progress to the knockout stages for the first time this summer, and Diallo represents a key attacking outlet for his national team.

They are in Group E alongside Germany, Curacao and Ecuador.

Morocco – 1 player

Noussair Mazraoui has been named in Walid Regragui’s 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer.

The defender was part of the Morocco national football team side that made history by reaching their first-ever FIFA World Cup semi-final at Qatar 2022, following a famous 1-0 victory over Portugal in the quarter-final.

Morocco have already enjoyed success ahead of the tournament after lifting the Africa Cup of Nations title following Senegal’s refusal to play before the final was ultimately restarted, being handed a 3-0 victory by default after its conclusion.

They are in Group C with Brazil, Haiti and Scotland.

Scotland – 1 player

Tyler Fletcher received a late call up to the squad to replace the injured Billy Gilmour, making him one of the youngest players to ever represent Scotland in a World Cup.

Just 19 years of age, Fletcher came off the bench twice to feature for United in the Premier League this season, yet started 18 Premier League 2 matches before receiving the surprise call from Steve Clarke.

The national football team will make their first FIFA World Cup appearance in 28 years, with the Tartan Army returning to the tournament stage after a long absence.

Scotland made their World Cup debut in France 1998 where they failed to progress past the group stage.

They face a repeat of 1998 as they are in the same group as Brazil and Morocco, with Haiti completing Group C.

Turkey – 1 player

United’s second-choice goalkeeper Altay Bayindir has been called up to Vincenzo Montella’s side, competing in his first World Cup finals despite a lack of game time under Ruben Amorim and Michael Carrick.

He was given a rare start in a 4-0 friendly victory over North Macedonia last Saturday, playing 63 minutes and managing to keep a clean sheet.

Turkey made their official FIFA World Cup debut in 1954, having previously qualified in 1950 before withdrawing prior to the tournament. The side went on to achieve a historic third-place finish at the 2022 World Cup in Japan.

The side are in Group D alongside tournament hosts USA, Australia and Paraguay.

Uruguay – 1 player

Manuel Ugarte is part of Marcelo Bielsa’s final World Cup squad this summer.

The defensive midfielder, 25, made his senior debut for Uruguay in September 2021 during the qualifying campaign for the World Cup the following year, scoring his first international goal for his country in 2024.

It will be his first appearance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup which takes place across the USA, Mexico and Canada.

Uruguay have lifted the World Cup trophy twice, once in 1930 and in 1950 in Brazil making them one of the most historic and successful football teams despite its small population.

They are in Group H alongside Spain, Saudi Arabia and World Cup debutants Cape Verde.

For more detailed reports, reaction, and analysis of the World Cup as it happens, head to our website and OneFootball page.