Manchester City will have 19 players at this summer’s World Cup, not only more than any other Premier League side but more than any other club in the world.
It is a number that could easily be greater too. The likes of Phil Foden and Savinho were not selected for their nations, whilst Gianluigi Donnarumma failed to qualify with Italy. Nevertheless, it does include a couple of players that will be leaving the club when their contracts expire midway through the tournament.
Of course, the story surrounding each individual player going into the World Cup differs dramatically. Here is a comprehensive look at who from City is playing, when their matches are, and the key storylines to watch.
England – Stones, Guéhi, O’Reilly, Trafford
England’s Group L World Cup fixtures
England v Croatia – June 17 (4pm ET)
England v Ghana – June 23 (4pm ET)
Panama v England – June 27 (5pm ET)
Although Foden’s omission captured more attention when Thomas Tuchel announced his England squad, City do have four stars representing the Three Lions this summer – a tally only matched by Arsenal. John Stones has already played his last game for City, and one would suspect this will be his last World Cup. One of England’s most senior players, if he stays fit he could play a big role this summer.
On the other end of the spectrum, Nico O’Reilly is heading to the tournament as one of England’s least-experienced players. The 21-year-old has been a revelation for City, and was recognised as the Premier League’s Young Player of the Season. Handed the number three shirt, it is expected that he will be deployed at left-back by Tuchel.
Meanwhile, Marc Guéhi arrives at the tournament with no doubts over his standing. The 25-year-old has established himself in the heart of defence for his country and will be massively important. Conversely, James Trafford travels as the third choice goalkeeper and is unlikely to feature.
In Tuchel’s first major tournament in charge of England, there will be plenty of pressure on the Three Lions to do well. The goal is to lift the trophy for the first time in 60 years.
Portugal – Silva, Dias, Nunes
Portugal’s Group K World Cup fixtures
Portugal v DR Congo – June 17 (1pm ET)
Portugal v Uzbekistan – June 23 (1pm ET)
Colombia v Portugal – June 27 (7.30pm ET)
Bernardo Silva’s time at the Etihad is now over, but he will still get the chance to continue playing with Ruben Dias and Matheus Nunes this summer. All three of them also featured at the last World Cup, as their country succumbed to Morocco in the quarter-finals.
Portugal boast a strong squad, of course headlined by Cristiano Ronaldo, and will have serious ambitions to reach the latter stages of the competition. Silva and Dias are key members of the squad and will expect to be starting every game. Nunes, on the other hand, will be used more sporadically.
Netherlands РAk̩, Reijnders
Netherlands’ Group F World Cup fixtures
Netherlands v Japan – June 14 (4pm ET)
Netherlands v Sweden – June 20 (1pm ET)
Tunisia v Netherlands – June 25 (7pm ET)
City will have two representatives in Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands squad – Nathan Aké and Tijjani Reijnders. Aké heads to the World Cup with his position in the starting lineup under threat. The 30-yearold started just three of his nation’s qualifying matches. Despite being an experienced and reliable defender
Conversely, Reijnders will confident of his role for his country. The midfielder featured in seven of eight qualifiers, contributing with a couple of goals and an assist. He ended the season out of Pep Guardiola’s preferred lineup and will arrive at the tournament with plenty to prove after an up and down first campaign in Manchester.
Croatia – Gvardiol, Kovacic
Croatia’s Group L World Cup fixtures
England v Croatia – June 17 (4pm ET)
Panama v Croatia – June 23 (7pm ET)
Croatia v Ghana – June 27 (5pm ET)
City’s Croatian duo will both arrive at the World Cup after enduring seasons hindered by injuries. Josko Gvardiol missed almost the entirety of the second half of the season after a leg fracture, whilst repeated ankle issues limited Mateo Kovacic to just a single league start. Nevertheless the pair were both on the pitch by the end of the season, and will be key figures for their country.
Kovacic was part of the Croatian side that defied the odds and made it all the way to the World Cup final back in 2018. Both were in the squad at the last tournament when they ended up finishing third. The Balkan country have had a tremendous record of late in the competition and would love that to continue. They will kick-off their campaign against their English teammates in Group L.
Ghana – Semenyo
Ghana’s Group L World Cup fixtures
Ghana v Panama – June 17 (7pm ET)
England v Ghana – June 23 (4pm ET)
Croatia v Ghana – June 27 (5pm ET)
Also competing in Group L is Antoine Semenyo for Ghana. The winger had an instant impact after arriving at the Etihad in January, and scored the winner in the FA Cup final – securing the final trophy of the Pep Guardiola era. Now he will have his eyes set on making. Similar impact for his country.
Despite missing out on Afcon earlier this year, the Black Stars will be competing at their fifth World Cup. Ghana and Semenyo must take on a tricky group, but will hope to reach the knockout stages for the first time since their famous run in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Norway – Haaland
Norway’s Group I World Cup fixtures
Iraq v Norway – June 16 (6pm ET)
Norway v Senegal – June 22 (8pm ET)
Norway v France – June 26 (3pm ET)
One of the most anticipated debuts at this summer’s World Cup will be Erling Haaland’s. Already a bona fide superstar, the striker will finally have the chance to perform on football’s biggest stage. He has smashed goalscoring records everywhere he has been, we eagerly await to see if that will continue at the World Cup.
Norway are no footballing heavyweight and have their work cut out for them with a tricky group. Haaland will hope to put his country on his back, and reaching the knockout stages would be an achievement at their first World Cup in 28 years.
France – Cherki
France’s Group I World Cup fixtures
France v Senegal – June 16 (3pm ET)
France v Iraq – June 22 (5pm ET)
Norway v France – June 26 (3pm ET)
Rayan Cherki is also making his World Cup debut and he will face off against Haaland in Group I. France come into the tournament with perhaps the strongest squad of all and as the second favourites to lift the trophy. Cherki is certainly not guaranteed to be starting, but the 22-year-old has excelled repeatedly for club and country in the past year, and could well be trusted by Didier Deschamps. The exciting talent has been praised for his flair in the Premier League and will hope to get the chance to entertain on an even bigger stage this summer.
Spain – Rodri
Spain’s Group H World Cup fixtures
Spain v Cape Verde – June 15 (12pm ET)
Spain v Saudi Arabia – June 21 (12pm ET)
Uruguay v Spain – June 26 (8pm ET)
The team that do come into the tournament as favourites are the European champions – Spain. Honoured with the captain’s armband, it could be a truly special summer for Rodri. There are not many prizes in football that the 29-year-old has not already claimed, but the World Cup is one of them. After his long-term injury, the Ballon D’Or-winning midfielder has recently returned to his best levels. Now Rodri will have his eyes firmly set on delivering glory for his nation.
Belgium – Doku
Belgium’s Group G World Cup fixtures
Belgium v Egypt – June 15 (3pm ET)
Belgium v Iran – June 21 (3pm ET)
New Zealand v Belgium – June 26 (11pm ET)
Another man who will arrive at the tournament as the main man for his country is Jeremy Doku. City legend Kevin De Bruyne is, of course, still Belgium’s biggest star but, based on recent seasons, this could be the summer that he passes the baton on to Doku. The winger comes into the World Cup in electrifying form and there will be big expectations for him to perform. Belgium are by no means the force that they once were, but should still be reaching the latter stages of the competition.
Egypt – Marmoush
Egypt’s Group G World Cup fixtures
Belgium v Egypt – June 15 (3pm ET)
New Zealand v Egypt – June 21 (9pm ET)
Egypt v Iran – June 26 (11pm ET)
Omar Marmoush and Egypt will have the pleasure of doing battle with Jeremy Doku and Belgium in Group G. Conversely to Doku, Marmoush’s campaign was one of stagnation rather than elevation. With his City future unclear, the forward will arrive at the tournament with plenty to prove. It will also be his maiden World Cup and Egypt will feel it is very possible to reach the knockout stages for the first-ever time.
Algeria – Aït-Nouri
Algeria’s Group J World Cup fixtures
Argentina v Algeria – June 16 (9pm ET)
Jordan v Algeria – June 22 (11pm ET)
Algeria v Austria – June 27 (10pm ET)
Rayan Aït-Nouri also jets off to the tournament after an unconvincing campaign at the Etihad. The left-back failed to ever nail down a starting spot in Guardiola’s lineup. With Algeria at the World Cup, like Doku with Belgium, his presence is likely to be overshadowed by another former City star – Riyad Mahrez. Nevertheless, Aït-Nouri is one of Algeria’s most high-profile players and will be a key figure for them.
Uzbekistan – Khusanov
Uzbekistan’s Group K World Cup fixtures
Uzbekistan v Colombia – June 17 (10pm ET)
Portugal v Uzbekistan – June 23 (1pm ET)
DR Congo v Uzbekistan – June 27 (7.30pm ET)
When it comes to being a hero in their home country, arguably no other City player can compare with Abdukodir Khusanov. Aged just 22, the defender is already celebrated as a legend in Uzbekistan. He is on his way to being seen in the same light in Manchester too. The centre-back has all the makings of a top level player and has gone from strength to strength this season.
Already the first Uzbek to ever play in the Premier League, now the youngster will be the star player for his country as they compete at their first-ever World Cup. Just being at the competition is already an overwhelming success for Uzbekistan, any further results will just be a bonus.
