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Manchester United will have players scattered across the biggest World Cup in history this summer, with some chasing a first winners' medal and others hoping to defend one. As the tournament unfolds across the United States, Canada and Mexico, several Reds could find themselves at the center of football's biggest stories.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has expanded to 48 teams, creating more matches, more storylines and more opportunities for players to leave their mark on the global stage.
Manchester United head into the tournament with 13 representatives, a figure bettered by only Manchester City and Arsenal among Premier League clubs. From established stars such as Bruno Fernandes and Lisandro Martinez to emerging talents like Tyler Fletcher, supporters will have plenty of reasons to follow the action beyond England's progress.
Which United Players Have the Best Chance of Reaching the Final?
Argentina, England, Portugal and Brazil all arrive in North America believing they can go deep into the tournament. If you fancy Fernandes' Portugal, Martinez's Argentina or Matheus Cunha's Brazil to be lifting the trophy on July 19, discussions around tournament predictions often go hand in hand with World Cup betting bonuses as the competition plays out across North America this summer.
No United player begins the tournament closer to football immortality than Martinez.
The defender helped Argentina lift the trophy in Qatar four years ago and now has the chance to become a two-time World Cup winner. After battling back from a serious knee injury during the 2025-26 season, he heads to North America hoping to play a prominent role for the defending champions.
The numbers suggest Argentina have every reason to feel confident. Opta's pre-tournament projections give Lionel Scaloni's side a 10.41% chance of retaining the trophy, while the reigning champions are rated at 18.44% to reach the final and 31.14% to make another semifinal appearance.
England sit slightly ahead at 10.87%, putting Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford among the most likely United players to feature deep into July. Fernandes and Diogo Dalot will also carry Portugal's hopes as the 2016 European champions attempt to win the World Cup for the first time, while Cunha forms part of a Brazil squad seeking a record-extending sixth title under Carlo Ancelotti.
The Dark Horses Who Could Surprise Everyone
Not every United player arrives as part of a tournament favorite.
Noussair Mazraoui and Morocco have already shown they can outperform expectations on football's biggest stage. Their run to the semifinals in 2022 changed perceptions of African football and demonstrated how dangerous the Atlas Lions can be in tournament settings.
Amad will carry the hopes of the Ivory Coast, a nation aiming to reach the knockout stages for the first time in its World Cup history. After becoming one of United's brightest attacking performers, the winger now has an opportunity to introduce himself to a truly global audience.
Uruguay should never be discounted either. Manuel Ugarte represents a nation with deep World Cup pedigree, and Marcelo Bielsa's side possesses enough quality to trouble more fancied opponents if they advance beyond a challenging group featuring Spain.
A Group Stage Packed With United Storylines
One of the tournament's most fascinating early narratives comes from Group C.
Brazil, Morocco and Scotland all feature Manchester United players, meaning supporters could see teammates competing directly against one another before the knockout rounds even begin.
Brazil face Morocco in New Jersey on June 13, pitting Cunha against Mazraoui in one of the standout opening fixtures. Scotland's Fletcher then takes center stage in one of the most remarkable personal stories of the tournament.
The 19-year-old received a late call-up after impressing throughout the season and now finds himself heading to a World Cup before his father, Darren Fletcher, ever had the opportunity. Darren won 80 caps for Scotland and captained his country, yet never appeared at football's biggest tournament.
Tyler's path has been very different. Within months of making his senior international debut, he could find himself facing Brazil on one of the sport's grandest stages.
Who Could Become United's Breakout Star?
Every World Cup produces a player who arrives as a promising talent and leaves as a global name.
Mainoo experienced a version of that at Euro 2024 when he forced his way into England's starting lineup, but a strong tournament under Thomas Tuchel would elevate him onto an even bigger stage. With England carrying a realistic chance of winning the competition according to Opta's projections, the midfielder could find himself involved in some of the tournament's defining moments.
Amad may be the more intriguing candidate. Ivory Coast are not among the favorites, yet that can sometimes work in a player's favor. A standout performance against Germany in the group stage or an unexpected run into the knockout rounds would place the winger firmly in the spotlight after a season that established him as one of United's most exciting attacking threats.
Then there is Fletcher. The 19-year-old only made his senior Scotland debut days before receiving his World Cup call-up and now has the chance to face Brazil and Morocco on football's biggest stage. Few players heading to North America have experienced a more dramatic rise over the past month.
Four years ago, Morocco reached the semifinals and few predicted Argentina would recover from an opening defeat to Saudi Arabia to lift the trophy. World Cups rarely follow the expected script and Fletcher will hope this summer delivers another surprise. |
