United View: World Cup watch

Ahead of the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, which gets underway tonight (Thursday), I thought I’d take a closer look at some of the United stars set to represent their nations in the US, Canada and Mexico.

Firstly, with Harry Maguire surprisingly left out and Luke Shaw also overlooked, Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford will be the only two United representatives in Thomas Tuchel’s 26-man England squad. 

Rashford is hugely admired by the Three Lions boss and looks set to start on the left of attack, while Mainoo may be forced to wait for his opportunity, with Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson currently the preferred pairing at the base of midfield. 

The Stockport born star is no stranger to this kind of situation though, having watched all three Euro 2024 group stage matches from the bench before going on to start every knockout tie and play a vital role in England’s run to the final. 

Elsewhere, defender Lisandro Martinez will be part of the Argentina squad looking to become only the third nation in history to land back-to-back World Cup wins. 

The 28-year-old may find it difficult to break into Lionel Scaloni’s starting 11 however, with veteran centre half Nicolas Otamendi likely to partner Christian Romero, as he did in Qatar. 

Meanwhile, Portugal’s hopes of tasting World Cup glory for the first time in their history rest firmly in the hands of United’s talismanic captain Bruno Fernandes. 

The 31-year-old could hardly be in better form going into the tournament, having racked up a record-breaking 21 Premier League assists last time out, and is unsurprisingly his country’s main creative outlet. 

Fernandes will be joined in North America by club teammate Diogo Dalot, who faces competition from former Manchester City full-back João Cancelo for a starting spot. 

Despite him no longer being a United player, I for one will be also keeping an eye on the exploits of Casemiro this summer, who has revitalised his Brazil career under new boss Carlo Ancelotti. 

Since falling out of favour under the previous regime, the 34-year-old has not only fought his way back into the side, but reclaimed the captain’s armband too. 

He joins forward Matheus Cunha, who may play a vital role for his country in his maiden tournament. 

The former Wolves man could benefit from the shock absence of Chelsea forward João Pedro and potentially lead the line for the Seleção, as they look to add a sixth World Cup to their impressive collection. 

Meanwhile, United bound Atalanta midfielder Ederson has also found a way into Ancelotti’s squad following an eleventh-hour injury. 

At the other end of the field, young shotstopper Senne Lammens – who recently picked up the Premier League Transfer of the Year award – will also make his first appearance in the World’s most iconic competition. 

But despite his superb season, minutes will be hard to come by for the Belgian, who still sits behind the vastly experienced Thibaut Courtois in the goalkeeping pecking order.  

Someone who will undoubtedly start for his country this summer is the ever-reliable Noussair Mazraoui. 

The versatile full-back will be hoping to inspire Morocco to another stellar World Cup run, after they became the first African nation in history to reach the semi-finals in 2022. 

Also set to play a crucial role for an African nation is Amad, who enters his first ever World Cup with Côte d’Ivoire. 

Should the West African side go on to have a strong tournament in the US, the tricky winger is sure to be at the very heart of it. 

Despite his indifferent form since arriving at Old Trafford, Manuel Ugarte’s importance for Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay also can’t be understated. 

Along with midfield partner Federico Valverde, the former Sporting man provides the two-time winners with some much-needed steel in the middle of the park. 

Elsewhere, despite having only 17 minutes of senior football to his name, 19-year-old Tyler Fletcher will represent Scotland at a World Cup — an achievement that eluded his father, Darren. 

Fletcher was a late inclusion in Steve Clarke’s squad following an unfortunate injury to Napoli’s Billy Gilmour. 

Finally, United goalkeeping understudy Altay Bayindir is set to play a similar role for his nation, Turkey, who many are tipping as this year’s ‘dark horses’.