More Blues have been called up by their nation than of any other squad in the Premier League.
That list comprises of five English players, three Portuguese, two Spanish and crucial members of the Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Germany, Netherlands and Switzerland squads.
World Cup 2022 | City players and their fixtures
We have a long history of players shining at the biggest tournament in international football, with the likes of Colin Bell and Francis Lee shining in 1970 and Kazimierz Deyna attracting the attention of the biggest names in the game in 1978.
It’s the same in women’s football, with Ellen White the leading scorer as England reached the semi-finals of the 2019 tournament. She joined City and eight of her international team-mates from that squad immediately afterwards.
You can read more about their exploits in our FREE digital November magazine.
However, ahead of the latest edition starting this Sunday, we take a look back at how our players past and present have fared in the last three men’s World Cups.
2018
Following the historic Centurions season, which saw the Club set a Premier League points record as Pep Guardiola lifted his first title, more Blues than ever before went to a World Cup - this time held in Russia.
David Silva played all four matches as Spain topped a group containing Bernardo Silva‘s Portugal but then lost on penalties in the Round of 16 to Russia.
Bernardo‘s side fell at the same hurdle to Uruguay, with our man playing all four games.
Nicolas Otamendi and Sergio Aguero were our two representatives in the Argentina squad that were defeated in a thrilling last 16 clash with eventual winners France.
The game ended up 4-3 with a 93rd minute strike from Aguero his second strike of the competition after one against Iceland.
Subscribe to CITY+ for original documentaries
Gabriel Jesus, Danilo, Fernandinho and Ederson made up a strong showing of Blues in the Brazil squa
Tite’s team were eliminated in the quarter-finals by a Belgium side that included Vincent Kompany and Kevin De Bruyne.
Four of the six started that game and it was in fact De Bruyne‘s goal that proved the difference between the sides.
Belgium lost a cagey affair to France in the semi-finals and may well have fancied their chances in the final against Croatia.
Croatia reached the final after defeating an England squad that included City men Kyle Walker, John Stones, Raheem Sterling and Fabian Delph.
Walker, Stones and Sterling were all vital to Gareth Southgate’s plans as he guided England beyond Colombia and Sweden into the final four.
There was another City match-up in the third place play-off as England played Belgium, which Belgium won 2-0.
Also in Russia was our German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan. His side, the defending champions, struggled in a group containing Sweden, Mexico and South Korea.
2014
Fresh off the back of Premier League success at City, 10 of Manuel Pellegrini’s squad went to Brazil.
Fernandinho played five times for the hosts before their semi-final exit to the winners Germany. His happiest moment of the tournament came as he scored the fourth in the 4-1 group stage victory over Cameroon.
David Silva played three times but his Spain side, who were defending champions, struggled against Netherlands and Chile before defeating Australia.
Yaya Toure was the beating heart of the Ivory Coast side who finished third in Group C, narrowly edged out by Greece.
Joe Hart played twice for England in a tough campaign for Roy Hodgson’s side while James Milner played 75 minutes in one game.
Argentina’s campaign ended in extra time final heartbreak. La Albiceleste were the side in Brazil with the most City representatives, thanks to Pablo Zabaleta, Martin Demichelis and Sergio Aguero.
Zabaleta was an ever present for Alejandro Sabella, while Aguero played five times and Demichelis three.
Edin Dzeko was Bosnia and Herzegovina’s talisman and scored in a victory over Iran but it wasn’t enough to progress to the knockouts.
Club captain Vincent Kompany played in four of the five games for Belgium, who were knocked out in the last eight.
France’s Bacary Sagna joined City shortly after the tournament which saw his national side beaten in the quarter-finals by eventual champions Germany.
2010
Roberto Mancini’s City side had narrowly missed out on UEFA Champions League qualification before six of the squad went to South Africa.
Carlos Tevez had stood out for City since arriving from Manchester United and was at his scintillating best in Argentina’s Round of 16 tie with Mexico before his nation’s eventual defeat to Germany.
Gareth Barry and Shaun Wright-Phillips were City’s two players in the England squad that were sent home by Germany at the last 16 stage.
Nigel de Jong made it all the way to the final for a combative Netherlands side, but they were eventually beaten by a stylish Spain that included the soon-to-be City favourite David Silva in the squad.
Roque Santa Cruz was Paraguay’s main man up top but he failed to find the net as his side made it to the last eight before defeat to winners Spain.
Kolo Toure, soon to be joined at City by his brother and international team-mate Yaya, played all three matches for an Ivory Coast side unlucky to draw Brazil and Portugal in the group stage.
You can follow how all 16 of this year’s group get on at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar on mancity.com and our official app.
