Manchester United ended the Premier League season on a high, with Michael Carrick guiding his revived side to third place, Champions League qualification and a goal difference of +19 — a rare sight in recent years.
Some supporters may wish the campaign could roll on a little longer as they adjust to seeing United win again. It cannot, of course, but the World Cup offers the next best thing, with a host of Reds set to represent their countries on football’s biggest stage.
A Baker’s Dozen
Kobbie Mainoo is among the most intriguing stories. Frozen out under sacked manager Ruben Amorim and seeking a loan move, the midfielder quickly became one of the first names on the team sheet under Carrick and repaid his new boss with a string of energetic, influential performances.
That late-season surge earned him a place in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad, and he heads to North America fresh and full of momentum.
There are plenty of other subplots to follow, too.
Marcus Rashford, for one, may be playing for his club future. Part of the ‘Bomb Sqaud’ under Amorim, the forward spent much of the season on loan at Barcelona and had hoped to make the move a permanent one.
Those plans have been complicated by the Catalan club’s big-money move for Anthony Gordon, a direct rival for the same role on the left – both at club level and now potentially for England as well.
With a return to Old Trafford looking increasingly unlikely, Rashford could use the tournament to attract fresh interest. Manuel Ugarte and Altay Bayindir may feel similarly, with both facing uncertain futures at United.
At the other end of the spectrum, Bruno Fernandes and Lisandro Martinez will arrive with loftier ambitions. Portugal’s Fernandes, the Premier League Player of the Season, and Martinez, a World Cup winner with Argentina in 2022, will both have designs on reaching the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19.
In total, 13 United players are set to feature at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Here is everything you need to know.
Argentina – Lisandro MartÃnez
Argentina’s Group J World Cup Fixtures
- Argentina vs. Algeria – June 16 (9 p.m. ET)
- Argentina vs. Austria – June 22 (1 p.m. ET)
- Jordan vs. Argentina – June 27 (10 p.m. ET)
Lisandro MartÃnez earned a place in Argentina’s squad after battling back from a serious knee injury suffered during Manchester United’s 2025–26 campaign. The defender, who was part of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning team in Qatar just months after joining United, now has the chance to help the reigning champions retain their crown. With injuries restricting him to only three international appearances over the past two years, this call-up marks an important return at a crucial moment.
Belgium – Senne Lammens
Belgium’s Group F World Cup Fixtures
- Belgium vs. Egypt – June 15 (3 p.m. ET)
- Belgium vs. Iran – June 21 (3 p.m. ET)
- New Zealand vs. Belgium – June 26 (11 p.m. ET)
Senne Lammens heads to the World Cup with Belgium after an outstanding first season at Manchester United. The 23-year-old goalkeeper, who made his senior international debut in November, has quickly built a strong reputation and was voted Premier League signing of the season. Even so, he is still competing for minutes behind established number one Thibaut Courtois, meaning he is likely to provide goalkeeping cover for the Real Madrid star.
Brazil – Casemiro and Matheus Cunha
Brazil’s Group C World Cup Fixtures
- Brazil vs. Morocco – June 13 (6 p.m. ET)
- Brazil vs. Haiti – June 19 (8:30 p.m. ET)
- Scotland vs. Brazil -June 24 (6 p.m. ET)
Casemiro announced he would leave Manchester United at the end of the 2025/26 season following one of his best campaigns since moving to Old Trafford from Real Madrid in 2022. However, he is technically still contracted to the Red Devils until June 30 so we have included him. Restored as Brazil captain by Carlo Ancelotti, the experienced midfielder even missed United’s final game of the season in order to begin preparing early for the World Cup.
Matheus Cunha heads into the World Cup after a solid debut season at Manchester United. The forward found himself out of the side under new Red Devils boss Michael Carrick before an injury to Patrick Dorgu created an opportunity on the left wing and allowed him to make an impact. He ended the season with 10 goals and two assists in 33 Premier League appearances.
The Brazilian pair could come face to face with United team-mate and Morocco defender Noussair Mazraoui in Group C.
England – Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford
England’s Group C World Cup Fixtures
- England vs. Croatia – June 17 (4 p.m. ET)
- England vs. Ghana – June 23 (4 p.m. ET)
- Panama vs. England – June 27 (5 p.m. ET)
Kobbie Mainoo was marginalised during Amorim’s failed tenure at United but was immediately restored to the starting XI by successor Carrick. A strong finish to the season has convinced England boss Thomas Tuchel to include him. Mainoo’s selection helps continue United’s remarkable record of having at least one player in every England World Cup squad since the nation first competed in the competition in 1950.
Marcus Rashford heads to the World Cup after a season in which he celebrated winning La Liga on loan at Barcelona. Tuchel kept faith with the forward even during his early season struggles at Old Trafford. His pace, creativity and goal threat could be key for England, but he is in a battle for a spot on the left flank with Anthony Gordon – a player whose unexpected transfer to Barcelona may have scuppered Rashford’s hopes of joining the Spanish club on a permanent deal.
Ivory Coast – Amad Diallo
Ivory Coast’s Group E World Cup Fixtures
- Ivory Coast vs. Ecuador – June 14 (7 p.m. ET)
- Germany vs. Ivory Coast – June 20 (4 p.m. ET)
- Cura̤ao vs. Ivory Coast РJune 25 (4 p.m. ET)
Amad Diallo heads into the World Cup as one of Ivory Coast’s key attackers, despite a slight dip in form at the end of the Premier League season. He was one of the few United players to emerge with credit during Amorim’s spell in charge, and he also impressed for the Elephants during the Africa Cup of Nations, where he scored three goals in five games. Now preparing for Ivory Coast’s fourth World Cup, Amad will aim to carry that momentum into Group E as they try to reach the knockout stage for the first time.
Morocco – Noussair Mazraoui
Morocco’s Group C World Cup Fixtures
- Brazil vs. Morocco – June 13 (6 p.m. ET)
- Scotland vs. Morocco – June 19 (6 p.m. ET)
- Morocco vs. Haiti – June 24 (6 p.m. ET)
Noussair Mazraoui will again be part of Morocco’s World Cup campaign as the team looks to build on its historic run from four years ago, when the Atlas Lions became the first African nation to reach the semi-finals. The Manchester United full-back was a key part of that team and brings valuable tournament experience. The versatile 28-year-old has started more games for Morocco than under United boss Carrick this season.
Portugal – Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot
Portugal’s Group K World Cup Fixtures
- Portugal vs. DR Congo – June 17 (1 p.m. ET)
- Portugal vs. Uzbekistan – Tuesday, June 23 (1 p.m. ET)
- Colombia vs. Portugal – June 27 (7:30 p.m. ET)
Old Trafford hero Bruno Fernandes heads into the World Cup as one of Portugal’s central figures after another outstanding campaign with Manchester United when he broke the Premier League assist record with 21 for the season. He was also voted the FWA Footballer of the Year and the Premier League Player of the Season for 2025/26. The 31-year-old will be expected to provide the creativity for an aging Cristiano Ronaldo in attack.
Only Luke Shaw (38) and Fernandes (37) made more appearances than Diogo Dalot (36) for Manchester United this season. His consistency and versatility make him a valuable option for Portugal boss Roberto MartÃnez, whether at full-back or wing-back.
Scotland – Tyler Fletcher
Scotland’s Group C World Cup Fixtures
- Haiti vs. Scotland – June 14 (9 p.m. ET)
- Scotland vs. Morocco – June 19 (6 p.m. ET)
- Scotland vs. Brazil – June 24 (6 p.m. ET)
Academy graduate Tyler Fletcher has earned a late spot in Scotland’s World Cup squad after being called up to replace the injured Billy Gilmour. The 19-year-old, who was recently named Manchester United’s Reserve-Team Player of the Year, made his senior international debut as a replacement for Gilmour in the second half of Scotland’s pre-tournament win over Curaçao. He made two first-team appearances in the Premier League this season – totalling 17 minutes.
Türkiye – Altay Bayindir
Türkiye’s Group K World Cup Fixtures
- Australia vs. Türkiye – June 14 (12 a.m. ET)
- Türkiye vs. Paraguay – June 19 (11 p.m. ET)
- Türkiye vs. USA – June 25 (10 p.m. ET)
Altay Bayindir started the first six Premier League games of the season for Manchester United before being dropped and replaced by new signing Senne Lammens. It’s a similar story at international level, where the 28-year-old goalkeeper is expected to provide cover for Galatasaray’s Uğurcan Çakir. He could really do with some minutes to improve his chances of a move away from Old Trafford.
Uruguay – Manuel Ugarte
Uruguay’s Group H World Cup Fixtures
- Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay – June 15 (6 p.m. ET)
- Uruguay vs. Cape Verde – June 21 (6 p.m. ET)
- Uruguay vs. Spain – June 26 (8 p.m. ET)
Manuel Ugarte is a better player than we have seen during a difficult few years at Manchester United and he will be aiming to prove that as a key cog in Uruguay’s World Cup team. His future at Old Trafford appears all but over, so, it’s an important opportunity to show his value on a global stage and secure a summer transfer.
The 2026 World Cup kicks off on Thursday, June 11, with the opening match between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
The first Manchester United players will be in action two days later when Casemiro and Matheus Cunha’s Brazil take on Noussair Mazraoui’s Morocco at the MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, USA, on June 13.
