The Premier League season is already two weeks behind us and this time next week, the 2026 World Cup will be in full swing. United’s pre-season campaign is 42 days away, for those who are counting (Andy Mitten).So, in the meantime, we have recorded a Talk of the Devils episode for things for fans to keep an eye on during the tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States.Initially, I wasn’t sure there was much to discuss but the more you look into it, the more you realise there is quite a lot on United’s agenda.Firstly, after Tyler Fletcher’s late call-up to the Scotland squad there will be 13 players representing their countries.
Manchester United's 2026 call-ups TeamPlayersBrazilCasemiro, Matheus CunhaMoroccoNoussair MazraouiScotlandTyler FletcherTurkeyAltay BayindirIvory Coast AmadBelgiumSenne LammensUruguayManuel UgarteArgentinaLisandro MartinezPortugalBruno Fernandes, Diogo DalotEnglandKobbie Mainoo, Marcus Rashford
The tournament begins on Thursday with Mexico against South Africa in Mexico City (kick-off 8pm UK time; 3pm ET) but due to the lack of United representation in Groups A and B, it doesn’t really get going for us until Saturday when Brazil take on Morocco, bringing three United players — the departing Casemiro, Matheus Cunha and Noussair Mazraoui — head to head. Every game in Group C could feature a United player, with Fletcher’s Scotland also in the mix.The following Wednesday will be a busy day with the English and Portuguese quartet of Kobbie Mainoo, Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot kicking off their fixtures, and then it all flows from there.Diogo Dalot is one of 13 United players in action at the World Cup (Patricia de Melo Moreira/AFP via Getty Images)There’s a similar number of United players involved compared to other recent tournaments despite the expansion to 1,248 players across 48 nations at this World Cup. But actually, United have more call-ups than the likes of Real Madrid, Liverpool or Chelsea.It’s not always a barometer for status, though. In 2014, no team had more players at the World Cup. In 2010, only five United players featured for their countries despite the team being in the middle of a run of three Champions League finals in four seasons.
