THE 2026 World Cup is just around the corner, and three current Saints players will be competing for their nation in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Current loanee Cyle Larin has been included in Canada’s squad for a home World Cup, while Ross Stewart’s recent form earned him a Scotland call-up.
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Loaned out full-back Yukinari Sugawara is in Japan’s squad, while compatriot Kuryu Matsuki, who enjoyed a breakout campaign, did not make the cut.
In total, 16 former Saints players and managers will be involved in the tournament, which gets under way in Mexico City on June 11.
Scotland have the most Saints connections, with former players Che Adams and Angus Gunn included in the squad alongside Stewart.
Southampton forward Ross Stewart is out of contract and heading for the World Cup. (Image: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire)
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Each team in Group F has at least one person associated with Saints, including former boss Ronald Koeman, who is now in charge of the Netherlands.
Tino Livramento, who played 34 times for Saints, is the only former Saint included in Thomas Tuchel’s 26-man England squad.
Here is every former and current Southampton player or manager set to compete at this summer’s World Cup…
Group A – Czech Republic, Mexico, South Africa, South Korea
None.
Group B – Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Qatar, Switzerland
Canada: Cyle Larin, Alfie Jones (Saints academy graduate).
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Saints loanee Cyle Larin has been included in Canada’s squad for a home World Cup. (Image: Stuart Martin)
Group C – Brazil, Haiti, Morocco, Scotland
Scotland: Angus Gunn, Che Adams, Ross Stewart.
Group D – Australia, Paraguay, Turkey, USA
USA: Mauricio Pochettino
Group E – Curacao, Ecuador, Germany, Ivory Coast
None.
Group F – Japan, Netherlands, Sweden, Tunisia.
Japan: Yukinari Sugawara.
Netherlands: Ronald Koeman, Virgil van Dijk.
Sweden: Graham Potter.
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Tunisia: Yan Valery.
Yukinari Sugawara spent the season out on loan with Bundesliga outfit Werder Bremen. (Image: Stuart Martin)
Group G – Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
None.
Group H – Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Spain
None.
Group I – France, Iraq, Norway, Senegal
Senegal: Sadio Mane.
Group J – Algeria, Argentina, Austria, Jordan
Austria: Kevin Danso.
Kevin Danso made 10 appearances during a loan spell with Saints. (Image: John Walton/PA)
Group K – Colombia, DR Congo, Portugal, Uzbekistan
None.
Group L – Croatia, England, Ghana, Panama
Croatia: Duje Caleta-Car.
England: Tino Livramento.
Ghana: Kamaldeen Sulemana.
