Which Man City players have qualified for the 2022 World Cup - and how will it affect Premier League fixtures?

Thirteen nations have booked their spots at next year’s tournament in Qatar - we look at which Manchester City players are likely to be involved.
Jack Grealish and Raheem Sterling playing for England at Euro 2020. Credit: Getty.Jack Grealish and Raheem Sterling playing for England at Euro 2020. Credit: Getty.
Jack Grealish and Raheem Sterling playing for England at Euro 2020. Credit: Getty.

The latest round of international football has seen 10 sides secure their places at the 2022 World Cup, in addition to the three nations who had already guaranteed qualification.

Along with hosts Qatar, 10 European countries have clinched a spot and two South American sides.

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Among those nations, they boast several current Manchester City players in their ranks.

Phil Foden is expected to play at his first World Cup next year. Credit: Getty.Phil Foden is expected to play at his first World Cup next year. Credit: Getty.
Phil Foden is expected to play at his first World Cup next year. Credit: Getty.

Which Manchester City players will be at the 2022 World Cup?

A year is a long time in football and with two transfer windows between now and November 2022, when the World Cup starts, City’s squad could look very different by then.

The same applies to international teams, while there’s no telling which players will pick up injuries in that time.

Yet from City’s current squad, numerous players could be playing in Qatar next year...

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Belgium: This could represent Kevin De Bruyne’s last chance at winning the biggest prize in football, as he’ll turn 35 during the 2026 World Cup. The Belgians went undefeated in qualifying and finished five points clear of second-place Wales.

Can Kevin De Bruyne lead Belgium to World Cup success in Qatar? Credit: Getty.Can Kevin De Bruyne lead Belgium to World Cup success in Qatar? Credit: Getty.
Can Kevin De Bruyne lead Belgium to World Cup success in Qatar? Credit: Getty.

Brazil: The five-time world champions will be at Qatar, meaning Ederson and Gabriel Jesus should be involved, however Fernandinho is no longer part of the Brazilian set-up and last played internationally in 2019.

England: The Three Lions squad consists heavily of City stars and the latest group saw Kyle Walker, John Stones, Phi Foden, Raheem Sterling and Jack Grealish picked by Gareth Southgate. With a year until the World Cup, youngster Cole Palmer may even hold an outside chance of making it on the plane..

Germany: Excluding Qatar, Germany were the first side to secure qualification to the 2022 World Cup. Ilkay Gundogan is an integral part of the squad and scored three international goals during the latest batch of fixtures.

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Spain: The Nations League champions will be vying to become world champions next year. Aymeric Laporte only made his Spain debut in June but has already earned 14 caps, while Rodri played in both November fixtures. Injury denied Ferran Torres a spot in the group, but he’s a shoo-in when fit.

Netherlands: The Dutch are back at the World Cup, meaning Nathan Ake will have his first chance to play at the tournament. The defender is a regular addition to the Netherlands roster, but played only one minute throughout the qualifying campaign.

Which other players could still qualify for the World Cup?

Both Portugal and Ukraine made it to the play-offs after finishing second in their respective qualifying groups, and face two-legged play-offs to determine their fate.

Therefore, Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias,Bernardo Silva and Oleksandr Zinchenko could still find their way to Qatar.

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Riyad Mahrez’s Algeria are in a similar boat and face a play-off from the African section of qualification, while Zack Steffen and the USA are in a strong position to progress in the North American group, although there are still six games to be played.

This trio could still be involved in the 2022 World Cup. Credit: Getty.This trio could still be involved in the 2022 World Cup. Credit: Getty.
This trio could still be involved in the 2022 World Cup. Credit: Getty.

Which other countries have qualified for the World Cup?

Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Croatia, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Netherlands, Qatar, Serbia, Spain and Switzerland have all secured their spot for next year’s tournament.

How does the World Cup affect fixtures?

The 2022/23 Premier League campaign will, unusually, be taking a midseason break to accommodate the World Cup. The season begins on 6 August 2022 and finishes on 28 May 2023.

The Qatar World Cup will start on 14 November 2022 and the Premier League will not resume until Boxing Day - eight days after the World Cup final takes place on 18 December.

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