After a breakthrough season, a Manchester City youngster is ready to make a splash at the World Cup | OneFootball

In a way, the 2025-26 season became known as Nico O’Reilly’s breakout season. The Manchester City youngster took the step from being a talented young player to becoming a key member of Pep Guardiola’s squad. Nico O’Reilly made 53 appearances in all competitions, scoring 9 goals and contributing 6 assists. The young midfielder/left-back also showed he was a player for the big moment as evidenced by his brace in Manchester City’s 2-0 win over Arsenal in last season’s Carabao Cup final. Also, Nico O’Reilly became an England international to cap his rise. Nico O’Reilly earned his first England cap last season and he could be a vital player for Thomas Tuchel’s side at the 2026 World Cup.

Nico O’Reilly is fulfilling a dream by playing in this summer’s World Cup for England.

In an interview with the official Manchester City website, Nico O’Reilly has shared that he is fulfilling a dream by making England’s World Cup squad. He also said that he was excited for England’s World Cup journey to begin. England begin their World Cup campaign with their opening Group L fixture against Croatia on Wednesday night. O’Reilly explained on mancity.com : “It’s unbelievable. It’s a dream come true. It’s something I’ve dreamed of since I was a kid and for it to come true now, obviously I’m still young, I can’t wait to get started.”

If Nico O’Reilly brings his Manchester City form to the World Cup he could be a crucial player for England.

Looking at the England squad, it almost seems certain that Nico O’Reilly will start at left-back for England against Croatia. The Manchester City youngster has earned that opportunity given his impressive displays for both club and country throughout the 2025-26 season. With his ability to get forward from left-back, Nico O’Reilly looms as a potential match-winner for England. Also, O’Reilly can step into midfield when required so he will add a valuable string to Thomas Tuchel’s side’s bow.

Nico O’Reilly was a star for Manchester City last season. His importance to Pep Guardiola’s side grew throughout the 2025-26 season as did his confidence. O’Reilly’s form was crucial to his team’s wins in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup last season. If Nico O’Reilly can bring his Manchester City form to the World Cup, he looms as a big and crucial player for England. It is a bold statement to say that a young player like Nico O’Reilly can be vital to his country’s chances at the World Cup. But he is more than capable of being exactly that for his country this summer.

Nico O’Reilly is excited by the opportunity that awaits him at the World Cup with England. More than that, Nico O’Reilly belongs at the World Cup and he could prove to be a crucial player for England as they bid to win the World Cup for the first time since 1966.