A tournament with a United thread
The World Cup opens on 11 June across Mexico, Canada and the United States, and United’s squad will be scattered through Europe, South America and Africa.
- Cunha is in the Brazil squad.
- Mazraoui will represent Morocco.
- Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot are in with Portugal.
- Lisandro Martínez is included for Argentina.
- Manuel Ugarte goes with Uruguay.
That spread matters. It shows how many of United’s key figures remain central to their national sides, particularly in midfield and defence.
The inclusions that stand out
There are also some notable selection stories around the group.
- Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford are in the England squad.
- Amad is set to feature for Ivory Coast.
- Goalkeepers Senne Lammens and Altay Bayindir are included for Belgium and Turkey.
- Tyler Fletcher was called up by Scotland as a late replacement.
Fletcher’s inclusion is the kind of late twist that often changes a player’s summer. For younger squad members, a major tournament can shift perception quickly.
The omissions will be felt
Just as striking is who will not be there.
- Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw miss out with England.
- André Onana and Bryan Mbeumo are absent because Cameroon did not qualify.
- Patrick Dorgu and Benjamin Sesko are also not going.
- Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, Mason Mount and Joshua Zirkzee are among those left out for reasons including selection and injury.
The next point of focus is obvious: Brazil against Morocco on 13 June. After that, attention will shift to how far United’s internationals go - and which of the non-travellers use the extra rest to hit pre-season running next month.