City send 19 players to 2026 World Cup but Silva and Stones will not return

Manchester City are sending more players to the 2026 World Cup than any other club in the world, with 19 representatives confirmed in the finalised squads — one more than Bayern Munich and two ahead of Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain. The milestone underlines the club’s continued standing among Europe’s elite, even as their Champions League performances have dipped in recent seasons.

The headline concern buried within that figure is that two of those 19 players will not be coming back. Bernardo Silva and John Stones are both out of contract at the end of this season, meaning the World Cup will effectively serve as their final appearances as City players unless new deals are agreed. Finding replacements of comparable quality is the task now facing Pep Guardiola and the club’s recruitment team.

The uncertainty does not stop there. Joško Gvardiol and Rodri have both declined to dismiss transfer speculation ahead of the tournament, leaving their long-term futures at the Etihad unresolved. City will be monitoring the situation closely, aware that losing multiple key players in a single window would require a significant rebuilding effort.

On the positive side, the sheer volume of internationals in City’s squad reflects a deliberate recruitment philosophy. The arrivals of Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi — representing Ghana and England respectively — were cited as examples of players who adapted quickly, in part because international football had already prepared them for high-pressure environments. Matheus Nunes, initially omitted from Portugal’s Euro squad two years ago, has worked his way back into the national team picture through improved club form, and is among the 19 heading to the tournament.

Notably absent from the World Cup contingent are Phil Foden, Savinho, Nico González and Rico Lewis, none of whom have done enough at club or international level to force their way into their respective squads.

City have already identified at least one incoming signing to offset the expected departures. Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson is understood to be a target for this summer, though the club may need to move for additional players if they are to maintain their position at the top of the domestic and European game.