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Manchester City will send an impressive contingent of 19 players to this summer’s World Cup — the highest representation from any club worldwide, surpassing all other Premier League sides.

This number could have been even higher, with Phil Foden and Savinho missing selection for their respective nations and Gianluigi Donnarumma’s Italy failing to qualify. The list still includes a few players whose contracts will expire midway through the tournament, marking their last official involvement with the club.

Each City player heads to the World Cup with a unique story. Here’s a full breakdown of their national team assignments, match schedules, and the narratives to watch closely.

England’s Group L World Cup Fixtures
England v Croatia – June 17 (4pm ET)
England v Ghana – June 23 (4pm ET)
Panama v England – June 27 (5pm ET)

Phil Foden’s exclusion from Thomas Tuchel’s England squad drew widespread attention, but City still boast four representatives in the Three Lions’ ranks — equalling Arsenal’s count. Veteran defender John Stones, who has already played his final match for City, is likely entering his last World Cup. If fit, the experienced centre-back could be vital in England’s campaign.

At the opposite end of the experience scale, 21-year-old Nico O’Reilly will head to his first World Cup after a breakout season that earned him the Premier League’s Young Player of the Season award. Wearing the number three shirt, O’Reilly is expected to feature at left-back under Tuchel’s system.

Marc Guéhi enters the tournament as a mainstay in England’s defence, while goalkeeper James Trafford travels as the third-choice option and is unlikely to feature. As Tuchel embarks on his first major tournament as England manager, expectations are high for the team to end a 60-year wait for the title.

Portugal’s Group K World Cup Fixtures
Portugal v DR Congo – June 17 (1pm ET)
Portugal v Uzbekistan – June 23 (1pm ET)
Colombia v Portugal – June 27 (7.30pm ET)

Though Bernardo Silva’s time at the Etihad has concluded, he will reunite with Ruben Dias and Matheus Nunes in Portugal’s squad. The trio all featured at the previous World Cup, where Portugal exited in the quarter-finals against Morocco. With Cristiano Ronaldo still leading the line, Portugal have ambitions of going deep into the tournament. Silva and Dias are expected starters, while Nunes may see fewer minutes.

Netherlands’ Group F World Cup Fixtures
Netherlands v Japan – June 14 (4pm ET)
Netherlands v Sweden – June 20 (1pm ET)
Tunisia v Netherlands – June 25 (7pm ET)

Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands squad includes City duo Nathan Aké and Tijjani Reijnders. Aké’s starting spot is uncertain after featuring in only three of the team’s qualifying matches, despite his reliability and experience. Reijnders, however, played in seven of eight qualifiers, contributing goals and assists. After losing his place in Pep Guardiola’s lineup late in the season, he will enter the tournament with a point to prove.

Croatia’s Group L World Cup Fixtures
England v Croatia – June 17 (4pm ET)
Panama v Croatia – June 23 (7pm ET)
Croatia v Ghana – June 27 (5pm ET)

City’s Croatian representatives, Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic, both endured injury-affected seasons. Gvardiol suffered a fractured leg, and Kovacic struggled with ankle problems, limiting him to one league start. Both recovered in time for the World Cup and remain crucial for Croatia, a nation that finished second in 2018 and third in the last edition. They’ll begin their campaign against England in Group L.

Ghana’s Group L World Cup Fixtures
Ghana v Panama – June 17 (7pm ET)
England v Ghana – June 23 (4pm ET)
Croatia v Ghana – June 27 (5pm ET)

Ghana’s Antoine Semenyo, who joined City in January and scored the decisive goal in the FA Cup final — Pep Guardiola’s farewell triumph — will look to carry that momentum into the World Cup. Ghana, competing in their fifth World Cup, aim to progress past the group stage for the first time since their memorable 2010 run in South Africa.

Norway’s Group I World Cup Fixtures
Iraq v Norway – June 16 (6pm ET)
Norway v Senegal – June 22 (8pm ET)
Norway v France – June 26 (3pm ET)

All eyes will be on Erling Haaland, who finally makes his World Cup debut. The prolific striker, known for breaking scoring records everywhere he plays, will strive to lead Norway through a challenging group. For a nation returning to the tournament after 28 years, even reaching the knockout stage would be a major success.

France’s Group I World Cup Fixtures
France v Senegal – June 16 (3pm ET)
France v Iraq – June 22 (5pm ET)
Norway v France – June 26 (3pm ET)

Rayan Cherki also makes his World Cup debut, joining a star-studded French squad that ranks among the favourites. Although not guaranteed a starting role, the 22-year-old has impressed for both club and country over the past year. Under Didier Deschamps, Cherki could become a creative spark for Les Bleus as they chase another global triumph.

Spain’s Group H World Cup Fixtures
Spain v Cape Verde – June 15 (12pm ET)
Spain v Saudi Arabia – June 21 (12pm ET)
Uruguay v Spain – June 26 (8pm ET)

European champions Spain enter as tournament favourites, led by City’s midfield maestro Rodri. Wearing the captain’s armband, the 29-year-old aims to add the only major trophy missing from his illustrious career. After recovering from a long-term injury, the Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder has regained top form and will be central to Spain’s ambitions.

Belgium’s Group G World Cup Fixtures
Belgium v Egypt – June 15 (3pm ET)
Belgium v Iran – June 21 (3pm ET)
New Zealand v Belgium – June 26 (11pm ET)

Jeremy Doku will be one of Belgium’s key attacking threats. While Kevin De Bruyne remains the team’s biggest name, Doku’s recent performances suggest this could be his breakout tournament. Though Belgium’s golden generation has faded, they still have the quality to reach the late stages.

Egypt’s Group G World Cup Fixtures
Belgium v Egypt – June 15 (3pm ET)
New Zealand v Egypt – June 21 (9pm ET)
Egypt v Iran – June 26 (11pm ET)

Omar Marmoush will face clubmate Doku when Egypt meet Belgium. After a stagnant season and with his City future uncertain, Marmoush will look to make an impression in his first World Cup. Egypt aim to reach the knockout stage for the first time in their history.

Algeria’s Group J World Cup Fixtures
Argentina v Algeria – June 16 (9pm ET)
Jordan v Algeria – June 22 (11pm ET)
Algeria v Austria – June 27 (10pm ET)

Rayan Aït-Nouri heads to the World Cup following a challenging campaign at City, where he struggled for consistent starts. In Algeria’s squad, however, he is expected to be a key contributor. While Riyad Mahrez remains the nation’s marquee name, Aït-Nouri’s attacking flair from the back could be crucial for his side.

Uzbekistan’s Group K World Cup Fixtures
Uzbekistan v Colombia – June 17 (10pm ET)
Portugal v Uzbekistan – June 23 (1pm ET)
DR Congo v Uzbekistan – June 27 (7.30pm ET)

Among all City players, none commands as much national hero status as Abdukodir Khusanov. At just 22, he is already a celebrated figure in Uzbekistan and continues to impress in Manchester. As the first Uzbek ever to play in the Premier League, Khusanov will now lead his nation at their maiden World Cup. Simply qualifying is a landmark achievement for Uzbekistan, and any further success would be a bonus.