Nico O’Reilly set to make England debut in FIFA World Cup qualification against Serbia | OneFootball

Manchester City’s rising versatile midfielder Nico O’Reilly is set to make his England international debut on Thursday night.

It marks the latest milestone in what has been a remarkable 12 months for the Academy graduate, who has quickly transitioned from youth standout to first-team regular under Pep Guardiola.

Having established himself as one of the Premier League’s most exciting young midfielders albeit operating from the left-back role at Manchester City, O’Reilly’s call-up to the senior England squad under Thomas Tuchel represents a natural next step in his development.

O’Reilly made his senior debut for City in the 2024 FA Community Shield against Manchester United, before scoring his first goal for the club in an emphatic 8–0 FA Cup third-round win over Salford City in January 2025.

His momentum continued through the competition, including a brace against Plymouth Argyle in the fifth round and a Man of the Match display in the quarter-final win over AFC Bournemouth. O’Reilly then made his first Premier League start against Leicester City in April, before scoring his maiden league goal just days later in a 5–2 win over Crystal Palace.

Following such a breakthrough campaign, O’Reilly was rewarded in September with a new five-year contract at the Etihad Stadium, tying him to the club until the summer of 2030. His versatility, composure on the ball, and tactical intelligence have seen him operate across multiple roles, mirroring the flexibility often demanded by Guardiola’s system.

Now, according to the information of BBC Sport’s Sami Mokbel, Nico O’Reilly will cap off a remarkable early rise in the game this year by now making his international debut for the England men’s national team on Thursday night.

Thomas Tuchel’s squad take on Serbia in FIFA World Cup qualification, having already secured their place in the tournament with games to spare, with the next edition of the competition coming in 2026 – hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

A start against Serbia for the Three Lions would represent another proud moment for Manchester City’s Academy system, which continues to supply talent to the senior national setup.

Nico O’Reilly’s debut could also see him link up with several familiar faces from Manchester City’s domestic rivals, offering a glimpse into England’s next generation of technically gifted stars.

Looking ahead, O’Reilly’s involvement at international level could accelerate his development even further. With Pep Guardiola known to value players with international experience, consistent minutes for England could only enhance his stature at Manchester City.