With a host of international stars in Pep Guardiola’s squad, we can expect to see a lot of City favourites going for glory in the showpiece.
It all kicks off on 11 June, as 48 teams go into 12 groups of four to compete for places in the knockout stages.
As always, we’ll follow the progress of our players throughout the tournament once it gets going.
Nations will be submitting their 26-man squads over the coming weeks and we’ll keep this page updated as and when City players are confirmed.
Those listed below have been included in their country’s squads.
England
James Trafford, Marc Guéhi, Nico O’Reilly
Three City players have been named in Thomas Tuchel’s squad including two homegrown players from our Academy.
Trafford goes to the World Cup having playing in our two major finals.
England could use a centre-back pairing from the Etihad with Guéhi impressing since his move to the Blues along with John Stones who has just left the Club but has always been a solid performer for the Three Lions.
O’Reilly completes the quartet after a superb season under Pep Guardiola and while he has mostly played as a left-back, also gives an extra option in midfield during the tournament.
France
Rayan Cherki
Our supremely talented playmaker has been rewarded for a fine first year in English football with a place in Didier Deschamps’ star-studded squad.
Having won the competition in 2018 and reached the final in 2022, the expectation remains that France will be one of the teams to beat.
The 22-year-old made his senior international debut last June and has featured five times so far.
Belgium
Jeremy Doku
Our rapid winger has been named in the Red Devils’ squad after another impressive season under Pep Guardiola.
The Russia 2018 campaign saw the nation reach the semi-finals, but in 2022 despite being among the pre-tournament favourites, Belgium bowed out at the end of the group stage.
Doku, still a raw talent at Rennes, played just 18 minutes in Qatar, but now the 23-year-old brings a new energy and boldness as Rudi Garcia’s side look to perform as best they can.
PORTUGAL
Matheus Nunes, Ruben Dias
Our duo have been named in Portugal’s provisional squad for this summer’s tournament.
Roberto Martinez has selected them in his 27-man party, which also includes former Blues Joao Cancelo.
Portugal have friendlies against Chile and Nigeria before their World Cup opener against DR Congo in Houston on 17 June.
They are in Group K and follow up with clashes against Uzbekistan in Houston on 23 June before concluding their campaign against Colombia in Miami on 27 June.
EGYPT
Omar Marmoush
The City striker has been named in The Pharoahs squad for North America.
Marmoush has already won 48 caps for his country, scoring 11 times and has featured at three Africa Cup of Nations.
But this will be his first World Cup as Egypt face Belgium on 15 June, New Zealand on 22 June and Iran on 27 June.
NORWAY
Erling Haaland
At the age of 25, Haaland is already his country’s greatest ever goalscorer with 55 goals from 49 appearances - 22 more than anyone else.
He was pivotal in helping Norway to their first World Cup in 28 years.
Haaland scored in each of their eight qualifiers amassing an incredible 16 goals, adding to his phenomenal total with the Blues.
Croatia
Josko Gvardiol, Mateo Kovacic
Our Croatian duo have both been selected as part of Zlatko Dalic’s 26-man squad ahead of Group L fixtures against England, Ghana and Panama.
Runners-up in 2018 and semi-finalists in 2022, Gvardiol and Kovacic will be hoping to continue their nation’s remarkable recent World Cup performances in the United States this summer.
In preparation for the tournament, they’ll face Belgium and Slovenia in warm-up friendlies on Tuesday 2 June and Saturday 7 June respectively.
Their opening Group L match sees them take on England in Arlington, Texas on Wednesday 17 June.
Spain
Rodri
Our midfield metronome is a star name in the squad of the reigning European champions.
And he’ll be at his first major tournament since winning the Ballon d’Or in the autumn of 2024.
After playing over an hour in the FA Cup final and then 90 minutes at Bournemouth in the last week of the season, he’ll be hoping he’s back to full fitness once it begins.
Netherlands
Nathan Ake, Tijjani Reijnders
Our Dutch duo have also been given the nod ahead of this summer’s World Cup, with Group F fixtures against Japan, Sweden and Tunisia on the horizon.
The Netherlands, three-time runners-up, reached the quarter-finals in 2022 before losing out to Argentina on penalties.
In preparation for the latest tournament, they’ll face Algeria and Uzbekistan in warm-up fixtures on Wednesday 3 and Monday 8 June respectively.
ALGERIA
Rayan Ait-Nouri
Left-back Ait-Nouri has been included in the Algeria squad for the tournament.
The North African side are in Group J and face current champions Argentina in their opening game on 17 June.
Former City winger Riyad Mahrez has also been named for Algeria who face Austria on 23 June and Jordan on June 28 in their other matches.
Ghana
Antoine Semenyo
Our January signing has already had a 2026 to remember, hitting the ground running at City and scoring a brilliant FA Cup final winner in May.
He’ll be one of Ghana’s outstanding hopes at this World Cup, with games against England, Croatia and Panama placing them in one of the tougher groups.
With three goals in 34 caps so far, he’ll be hoping this is when he shows his best form yet on the international stage.
Uzbekistan
Abdukodir Khusanov
Our brilliantly talented young central defender is adored by City fans - but it pales in comparison to the love he has in his homeland.
Still only 22, he’s already represented Uzbekistan 25 times and is a leading light in their hopes at their first ever World Cup this summer.
They’ll play Portugual, DR Congo and Colombia in what promises to be a historic time for Khusanov’s country.
