Manchester City sent more players to the World Cup than any other club, with 17 Blues involved in the tournament. This figure does not include John Stones or Bernardo Silva, who left the Etihad this summer. Only one of those 17 has departed early: Abdukodir Khusanov's Uzbekistan was the only nation with a City player to bow out in the group stage.
England Contingent
Nico O'Reilly started the opener against Croatia but didn't reach the standards that helped him win the Premier League Young Player of the Year award last season. He was dropped for the Ghana game but came on and made an impact, hitting the bar late on. He returned to the side against Panama and showed more of what he can offer. Rating: 6/10.
Marc Guehi was surprisingly overlooked for England's opener, with Stones and Ezri Konsa preferred. Guehi returned against Ghana and had little to do defensively, though he saw plenty of the ball to help England build. He came close to scoring with a late header and started against Panama, surely nailing down a spot in the knockout XI. Rating: 6/10.
James Trafford is third choice for England and not expected to feature unless disaster strikes the goalkeeping department. He is a valued member of the squad and will gain vital tournament experience. Rating: 5/10.
Defensive Concerns
Ruben Dias has been linked with a summer exit from the Etihad amid interest from Real Madrid. He didn't feature in the back end of the season for City despite being fit enough to return to the squad and found himself on the bench for Portugal in their opening draw with DR Congo. He returned for the convincing win over Uzbekistan and the draw with Colombia, helping his nation to two clean sheets. Rating: 5/10.
Abdukodir Khusanov is the leading light in Uzbekistan's historic first World Cup qualification. He went viral for a late challenge against Colombia that took out Luis Diaz and a cameraman, and had a tough time as Portugal ran riot in a 5-0 win. He played 90 minutes in the group finale as Uzbekistan went 1-0 up against DR Congo before losing 3-1. Rating: 5/10.
Matheus Nunes enjoyed a standout season for City, making the right-back spot his own at the Etihad. But former City man Joao Cancelo has been preferred by Roberto Martinez, and Nunes has been restricted to two minutes of added time off the bench against Colombia. Rating: 5/10.
Rayan Ait-Nouri is a key player for Algeria as they reached the last 32. He had a difficult opening night against a Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina but helped his side earn a vital win over Jordan with his composure on the ball. He was dropped to the bench for the finale vs Austria but came on and helped his side earn a point and qualification. Rating: 6/10.
Josko Gvardiol hasn't been at his best, understandably given he spent most of 2026 recovering from a broken leg. He looked shaky against England and was replaced at half-time during Croatia's win over Panama before coming on for the final two minutes against Ghana amid fitness questions. Rating: 4/10.
Midfield Maestros
Nathan Ake came on for the closing stages of the opening 2-2 draw with Japan and didn't feature as the Netherlands thrashed Sweden. He started the final group game and was assured at left back in the comfortable win over Tunisia. Rating: 7/10.
Rodri has been Spain's midfield general, impressive if not dominating during the surprise draw with Cape Verde. He built on that in the thrashing of Saudi Arabia and played the full 90 minutes as Spain edged past Uruguay to top their group. Rating: 7/10.
Tijjani Reijnders is a key player for the Dutch in midfield and has played his part in an impressive group-stage showing for Ronald Koeman's side. He hasn't stolen the headlines but has been quietly effective. Rating: 7/10.
Mateo Kovacic came off the bench against England and made an impact. He was rewarded with a start against Panama, but Croatia toiled in a 1-0 win. He began the crucial game with Ghana as Croatia qualified in second spot. Rating: 7/10.
Attacking Threats
Rayan Cherki can't get into a star-studded France side and looked off his game in a brief cameo against Senegal in the opener. He was much improved in a 25-minute showing against Iraq and was given a similar run-out in the thumping win over a much-changed Norway. Rating: 6/10.
Jeremy Doku was thrust into the headlines when leaving the tournament after the first game to be present at the birth of his first child. The winger showed flashes in Belgium's opening draw with Egypt and returned to the side for the 5-1 victory over New Zealand. Rating: 6/10.
Omar Marmoush has played his part in Egypt reaching the knockout stages, even if he hasn't found a goal or an assist. He was dropped to the bench for the final group game against Iran but was brought on at half-time. He has looked a lively presence. Rating: 7/10.
Antoine Semenyo was quiet in the opening match but then popped up to set up a late winner as Ghana beat Panama. He was a willing runner against England in an effective performance and played another 90 minutes against Croatia as Ghana secured qualification. Rating: 7/10.
Star Performers
Erling Haaland has inspired Norway. He opened his account with a brace in a comfortable victory over Iran and then repeated the feat in a crucial victory over Senegal to send the Norwegians into the knockout stages. He could conceivably win the Golden Boot. He was rested for the final group game as Norway were swept aside by France. Rating: 9/10.
Elliot Anderson is not a City player just yet, but he will be. A deal is in place to take the £116million man to the Etihad, and he has had an impressive tournament. He excelled in the opening win against Croatia and was effective against Ghana despite England failing to break their opponents down. He overcame injury concerns to start against Panama and continued to show his quality. Rating: 8/10.
