The English Premier League will be extremely well represented at the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico this summer.
More than 180 Premier League players will be lining up for their countries in the expanded 48-team tournament – more than any previous edition.
Many of them represent teams who are fancied to lift the trophy, so the likelihood of some Premier League stars becoming World Cup winners is extremely high.
With that in mind, read on as we look at the Premier League stars who could be standout performers for their respective nations in North America.
Erling Braut Haaland – Manchester City & Norway
Haaland was the star of the show for Norway during the European qualifiers, scoring 16 goals to help them reach the World Cup for the first time since 1998.
The sportsbooks featured on BestBettingBonuses.co.uk rate the Manchester City striker as one of the leading contenders to win the Golden Boot this summer. Interest in the market has been growing steadily, with punters using comparison sites to track the best odds, enhanced prices and promotions, including the popular 888Sport offer, ahead of the tournament.
Odds of 12/1 will attract plenty of interest from bettors seeking value in what appears to be a wide-open betting market. Haaland has scored 55 goals in 49 international appearances and should make a bold bid to finish as the World Cup’s top goalscorer.
Gabriel Magalhaes – Arsenal & Brazil
After missing the decisive penalty in the Champions League final last month, Gabriel Magalhaes will be hoping for better luck with Brazil at the World Cup.
The 28-year-old was a key player in Arsenal’s Premier League title success and will be the cornerstone of the Samba Kings’ defensive unit this summer.
Brazil have lifted the trophy on five previous occasions and will fancy their chances of adding to their tally in New Jersey on July 19.
South American teams have won seven of the eight previous tournaments staged in the Americas and that statistic makes Brazil a team to be feared.
Kobbie Mainoo – Manchester United & England
Thomas Tuhcel’s decision to omit Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton from his squad has left England looking devoid of creativity in central midfield.
Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson are functional rather than spectacular, while Jordan Henderson should be nowhere near the Three Lions’ squad.
Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo is unlikely to be a regular starter, but could ultimately prove to be a difference maker if England make progress.
Mainoo has the ability to unlock elite-level defences and Tuchel must be brave enough to give him opportunities to showcase his talents this summer.
John McGinn – Aston Villa & Scotland
Aston Villa’s decision to sign John McGinn from Hibernian in 2018 will go down as one of the shrewdest moves any club has ever made.
McGinn has become a talismanic figure for Villa due to his uncanny ability of making so-called ‘superstar midfielders’ look extremely ordinary.
The 31-year-old will be a key part of Scotland’s bid to make it to the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time this summer.
An opening stage group containing Brazil, Morocco and Haiti makes life difficult for Scotland, but anything is possible with McGinn in the starting line-up.
Bruno Fernandes – Manchester United & Portugal
Most of the pre-tournament talk surrounding Portugal’s chances of winning the World Cup have inevitably centred on veteran striker Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, if the 2016 European champions are to have any chance of breaking their duck in the tournament, their other top stars will need to be at their best.
There will be plenty of expectations placed on Bruno Fernandes, who is heading into the World Cup on the back of a stellar season with Manchester United.
The Red Devils’ playmaker is the creative hub for a team which has been well-backed by sports bettors over the past few weeks to win the World Cup.
Rodri – Manchester City & Spain
Rodri won the Ballon d’Or in 2024, but has struggled with injuries since he suffered a cruciate ligament tear in September that year.
The Manchester City midfielder recently returned from a groin injury and Spain will undoubtedly need to manage his game time carefully this summer.
Spain are one the bookmakers’ favourites to win the World Cup for the second time and keeping Rodri fit will unquestionably improve their chances.
The 29-year-old is the engine of a Spanish team which has the ability to tear teams apart when they are in the mood. Thet could be tough to beat in North America.
