The 2026 World Cup is here, and there will be a lot of players on show for Manchester United to consider paying attention to.
Often, the World Cup produces breakout stars across the tournament for multiple nations, and this summer, Manchester United should be paying attention.
So, going through the entire tournament from group A to group L, here is one player from every team we think United should keep an eye on, for different reasons.
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Mexico – Gilberto Mora
Mexico’s star boy is tipped for a breakout tournament on home soil, with Europe’s elite likely to be watching closely. United have an interest in Mora, and the race for this midfielder’s signature is likely to heat up this summer if he shows his Andres Iniesta-like qualities.
South Africa – Relebohile Mofokeng
A player we are sure you haven’t heard of is Mofokeng, but he is one to watch for South Africa. 18 goals and assists for the Orlando Pirates this season sees him as one of the most exciting talents in the country at 21 years old. Worth keeping an eye on.
South Korea – Kang-in Lee
The PSG midfielder hasn’t managed to become a star in Paris, but for his country, he is a standout. If South Korea goes far in this tournament, Kang-in Lee will be key, and potentially, there could be interest in him this summer with Atletico Madrid keen.
Czechia – Patrik Schick
For years, United have been linked with Schick as an experienced striker. Well, this summer United wants to sign exactly this, and Schick could be an interesting option. He will be vital for Czechia this summer and could catch the eye.
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Canada – Jonathan David
Canada’s one to watch for United could have been Alphonso Davies or Promise David, but their main man up front is the Juventus star. He moved to Serie A last summer, and it hasn’t really worked, so there could be another move in his near future, and with United needing a forward, they should keep an eye on him, although it would be unlikely.
Bosnia & Herzegovina – Kerim Alajbegovic
18-year-old Alajbegovic is Bosnia’s one to watch. Interestingly, United have already been linked, with the teenager likely one of the players Europe’s elite will have shortlisted for scouts this summer. He could have a real breakout tournament on the wing.
Qatar – Akram Afif
One of the harder countries to pick a name from is Qatar, but Afif is one at least worth keeping in mind, even if United would be very unlikely to sign him. The Al Saad legend has 33 goal contributions in 32 games this season in Qatar.
Switzerland – Johan Manzambi
One potential breakout star of the tournament is Manzambi of Freiburg, who has been catching the eye for months now. Manzambi could be a shrewd signing for United, and quality-wise, he could be an alternative to Carlos Baleba for much cheaper.
Brazil – Igor Thiago
Thiago needs no introduction after his 25-goal season for Brentford earned him this call-up, and he could be in line for a big move this summer. The 24-year-old scored and assisted for Brazil against Panama in a friendly and could really establish himself at the World Cup. Meanwhile, United have already been linked with Thiago. Danilo would be another option.
Morocco – Abdessamad Ezzalzouli
Ayyoub Bouaddi would be a smart signing for United from Morocco, but so would his teammate Ezzalzouli. The Real Betis winger has had a breakout season for the Spanish side and now might be ready to take the World Cup by storm. United should be keeping a close eye.
Haiti – Wilson Isidor
With United looking for another striker, Isidor could prove he is worth a punt this summer. Six Premier League goals in his debut season for Sunderland show he has the quality; now he can do it on the world stage, albeit in a very tough group.
Scotland – Findlay Curtis
Tyler Fletcher is the most exciting talent in the Scotland side, but United should also be keeping an eye on the performances of 19-year-old Findlay Curtis of Rangers, who is a winger.
USA – Tyler Adams
Team USA have huge expectations in their home World Cup and Adams will be central to that. Adams has been linked with United ahead of the summer midfield rebuild and with his brilliance for Bournemouth now catching attention, United might be watching his performances this summer with interest.
Paraguay – Omar Alderete
Sunderland defender Omar Alderete was quietly one of the top performers this season for the North East side. United need an older defender to cover for likely injuries next season and the Paraguayan could become an option with a strong World Cup for Paraguay.
Australia – Mohamed Toure
The Norwich City striker scored nine in 11 Championship games last season and comes into this as Australia’s great hope. United need striker reinforcements and while not the finished article, this 22-year-old is worthy of at least one set of eyes casting a judgement on him this summer.
Turkey – Baris Alper Yilmaz
Galatasaray winger Yilmaz is a really exciting player to watch with his electric speed and power now converting into goals and assists over the past two seasons. United were linked with Yilmaz around Euro 2024, and we expect these links will return this summer if he can take the World Cup by storm.
Germany – Angelo Stiller
For Germany, there are lots of options. But Stiller in the midfield could be a potential breakout star if he gets the minutes he deserves. Jason Wilcox admires Stiller according to reports and therefore he will certainly be under review this summer.
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Curacao – Tahith Chong
This one was tough. There isn’t a single player with a case to make for United to be watching, besides Chong purely from the standpoint of him being a former United player.
Ivory Coast – Bazoumana Toure
While Yan Diomande would be the easy choice for this, Toure is far more attainable for United to sign this summer. Toure has been linked recently as a winger option to add some dynamism and speed to the left flank. Agent Amad should be busy this summer.
Ecuador – Joel Ordonez
One of the dark horses of the competition, Ecuador boast a brilliant defence which includes Piero Hincapie and Willian Pacho or Arsenal and PSG. But their teammate Joel Ordonez could be next off that production line. Currently only 22 at Club Brugge he is a really exciting option should a centre-back be moved for this summer.
Netherlands – Crysencio Summerville
It would have been Kees Smit if not for his absence. But considering he is not in the squad, Summerville is a player United should be keeping an eye on. Summerville is likely to leave West Ham this summer and at left-wing he could be a very interesting option as he’s a lot better than his form showed. Perhaps United could offer £100m for him and Mateus Fernandes combined.
Japan – Ayase Ueda
Another massive dark horse this summer is Japan, and one of their main players is Ueda of Feyenoord who is a goal machine. 25 goals in 31 Eredivisie games over the 2025/26 season sees him one of the most in form strikers right now. Ueda could be a brilliant signing for United as the Benjamin Sesko back-up.
Sweden – Benjamin Nygren
Versatile Sweden and Celtic forward Nygren is coming off a sublime campaign in Scotland with 20 goals and six assists. Nygren has been linked with United as a result and seeing how he fares on the biggest stage will be interesting. He is a versatile forward who seems destined for a higher level than he is currently playing at.
Tunisia – Hannibal Mejbri
Like with Curacao, Tunisia doesn’t have a player we can see United being interested in beyond former academy breakout Hannibal who scored a brilliant goal for the club against Brighton a few seasons ago. He is their main man right now in a tough group.
Belgium – Matias Fernandez-Pardo
For Belgium, it is a mix of their golden generation’s final hurrah, while there are also a lot of brilliant youngsters making their tournament debut, such as Fernandez-Pardo. The Lille winger scored eight and assisted five in Ligue 1 this season, with United linked with Fernandez-Pardo already this summer, a strong tournament would only add to these.
Egypt – Hamza Abdelkarim
Egypt aren’t blessed with talented players right now outside of Mohamed Salah and Oumar Marmoush. Therefore, we have gone for 18-year-old Abdelkarim who will be the next big hope of his country and could announce himself here. He comes into the tournament with six goals in four games in his last four Barcelona U19 games, one to watch.
Iran – Mehdi Taremi
Another country which was a tough one to choose a player from is Iran, but we have gone with Taremi for his links a couple of years back. He hasn’t quite hit the heights he did at Porto since leaving but a huge World Cup could put him back in the thinking of clubs seeking an experienced striker.
New Zealand – Chris Wood
United want an experienced striker this summer, and maybe a big World Cup would push Chris Wood into the minds of the recruitment staff. He scored 20 Premier League goals just last season and if he is kept fit he could be a solid choice. Not that we are advocating for this, but one to consider as the Danny Welbeck-like signing behind Sesko and maybe another striker as well.
Spain – Mikel Oyarzabal
One of the favourites, yet Spain doesn’t have a lot of players that United would be able to sign, given that they are at Barcelona or another top side already. But Oyarzabal could be of interest in that experienced striker role for United this summer. Not a prime choice, but one that United should be keeping an eye on.
Cape Verde – Sidny Lopes Cabral
Benfica defender Cabral is probably the one Cape Verde player who can imagine would be on the radar of any Premier League side. At 23, he could still get a lot better. This is the one to watch from Cape Verde, but that doesn’t mean United will be or should be.
Saudi Arabia – Salem Al-Dawsari
Not exactly someone United should be looking at to sign, but Saudi Arabia’s main man is Al-Dawsari and has been for years. The player of a generation for them, and he is still shining in the Saudi Pro League.
Uruguay – Federico Valverde
It might feel incredibly unrealistic to suggest that Valverde would join United this summer. But given Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni’s falling out, Jose Mourinho might need to choose one or the other. If so, United should be trying to sign either, and Valverde’s Uruguay could exit the World Cup early. So this pipe dream is one to watch.
France – Bradley Barcola
Aurelien Tchouameni is sure to be watched this summer, given his links to Old Trafford, but United should also keep some eyes locked on Barcola. The exciting left-winger is exactly what United need this summer with his pace, dribbling and winning experience. He has some improvements to make in the final third, but once he sorts this out, he will be world-class.
Senegal – Iliman Ndiaye
Another left-winger for United to keep an eye on is Everton’s Ndiaye, who could be key for dark horses Senegal this summer. Ndiaye would cost £69m, but if he stars at the World Cup, this price tag could skyrocket. Likely one of the better left-wing options for United this summer.
Iraq – Zidane Iqbal
Former United midfielder Iqbal will be at his first World Cup with Iraq, and United eyes are sure to be watching to see how he fares in North America. Once considered a potential Frenkie de Jong alternative for Erik ten Hag, he can now show his class at the top stage.
Norway – Alexander Sorloth
Norway have a lot of talent with Antonio Nusa and Julian Ryerson, but United should have an eye on Sorloth from Atletico Madrid. Fresh off a 20-goal season, Sorloth could be another option to fill that experienced striker role for United. He won’t be the star of Norway’s show, but could absolutely cover himself in glory to enter United’s shortlist.
Argentina – Cristian Romero
One of the favourites, and it is Lisandro Martinez’s defensive teammate, Romero, who we think United should be looking at. United have been linked with Romero, while the links might be wide of the mark, Ineos shouldn’t disregard a defensive addition if he is available, considering the injury-proneness of the current options.
Algeria – Ibrahim Maza
20-year-old Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Maza is a player who most of Europe will have an eye on after his stunning form for his club. For Algeria, he is one of the standout players and has been linked with Manchester City ahead of this summer. Potentially a good midfield option to consider should the likes of Mateus Fernandes become unavailable.
Austria – Nicolas Seiwald
In Ralf Rangnick’s side, Seiwald is an absolutely crucial part of the midfield. The RB Leipzig player could be vital for Austria, who could surprise people, and if he does, then there is a chance he will have suitors for a bigger move this summer. United may want to keep tabs on him as a midfield option.
Jordan – Mousa Tamari
Jordan don’t have any players United will be keeping an eye on, but if they did, it would be Stade Rennes’ Tamari. Nicknamed the Jordanian Messi, he will be expected to perform miracles in this tough group. If he manages to do something, his stocks could skyrocket.
Portugal – Goncalo Ramos
While not exactly an experienced striker in age, Ramos is already a two-time Champions League winner. Due to this, Ramos coming into his prime years could be a strong option to replace Joshua Zirkzee this summer. PSG are linked with some big-money moves, and therefore, this could be a signing we see heat up over the coming months, especially if Bruno Fernandes assists him a couple of times.
DR Congo – Noah Sadiki
Potentially a future midfield option is Sunderland’s 21-year-old Sadiki, and he will be absolutely vital in Congo’s hopes this summer against a Portugal side with a brilliant midfield. Sadiki had a brilliant season with Sunderland, and following it up at the World Cup and then the Europa League next season, he could quickly become among the most wanted midfielders in the league.
Uzbekistan – Bekhruz Karimov
Managed by World Cup-winning defender Fabio Cannavaro, Karimov is an exciting right-back for Uzbekistan who is only 18. There is growing talent in the squad with Manchester City’s Abdukodir Khusanov, and Karimov might be the next one up. One to keep an eye on and see whether he is worth a punt potentially in the coming transfer windows.
Colombia – Richard Rios
The star of the 2024 Copa America, Colombia’s Rios is sure to be in the headlines again this summer, with United already linked with a move ahead of this summer. Possibly a cheaper midfield option for United to consider, and he will absolutely be a standout at this tournament, with international football and the Club World Cup being where he has shone brightest in his career.
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England – Ollie Watkins
Watkins was considered last summer, but it wouldn’t be a shock if he once again emerged as a target for United this summer in the experienced striker mould. Villa could need to sell to buy this summer, and Watkins should be cheaper than he was priced at last season. The perfect back-up to Sesko, potentially.
Croatia – Luka Vuskovic
While Vuskovic is already a Tottenham player, United should be keeping an eye on him because he promises to be one of the best in the world for years to come. Spurs are looking to sign two centre-backs this summer, on top of already having a handful, so Vuskovic might not fit. In this case, United need to watch him at the World Cup to gauge whether he would be worth keeping on a standby list in case he becomes available.
Ghana – Caleb Yirenkyi
Michael Essien has picked Yirenkyi as one to watch for this tournament, and United have already held a pre-existing interest in signing him. If he does take the World Cup by storm as predicted, United look to already be heading the queue for his signature. A super talent in midfield, he could be the bargain of the summer.
Panama – Kadir Barria
An 18-year-old striker playing for Botafogo and now set for the world stage is worth paying attention to alone, and Barria ticks these boxes. A striker, he moved to Brazil and has been doing pretty well there. He has all the markings of a breakout talent; now, he needs to show it.
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