Every Man Utd Player Not Going to 2026 World Cup

Some high-profile Manchester United stars will not be involved in North America.

Bryan Mbeumo has a free summer on his hands. | Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside/Getty Images

Manchester United’s status as a global giant has guaranteed a rich connection with the World Cup over the years.

Each tournament is littered with Man Utd stars competing for nations across the world and the upcoming 2026 tournament will prove no exception. Portugal, Brazil and, of course, England will all have Red Devils in their traveling rosters.

However, many of United’s squad won’t be journeying to North America to compete for soccer’s ultimate prize, instead resting and recuperating over the summer, forced to watch the action unfold from their couch.

Some of United’s stars simply won’t make the cut, but others already know they won’t be involved after their countries failed to qualify for the 48-team World Cup.

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Every Man Utd Player Not Playing at the 2026 World Cup

Patrick Dorgu

Denmark failed to qualify. | Marc Atkins/Getty Images

Only a handful of United players won’t attend the World Cup due to their nation’s absence from the tournament entirely. One of those is Patrick Dorgu.

The flying full back was unavailable for Denmark during its critical European playoff clashes with North Macedonia and Czechia due to injury, the latter ending in misery as missed penalties in the shootout—including one skewed by Rasmus Højlund, still technically a United striker—proved costly at the end of a 2–2 draw after extra time.

Dorgu’s compatriots were unable to get over the line, Denmark missing out on only its third World Cup of the century. While disappointing for the versatile defender, it’s positive news for the Red Devils, allowing Dorgu to be slowly reincorporated upon his return to fitness.

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Bryan Mbeumo

Bryan Mbeumo will sit the tournament out. | Izzy Poles/AMA/Getty Images

Bryan Mbeumo has enjoyed a fine debut season at Old Trafford, albeit dampened by international frustration. The 26-year-old was hoping to represent Cameroon at his second World Cup this summer, but a disappointing qualification campaign means an empty summer schedule for the forward.

Cameroon could only muster a second-placed finish in qualifying, dropping into the CAF playoffs during which victory would have earned a spot in the inter-confederation playoffs. However, defeat to DR Congo on penalties in the semifinal ended Cameroon’s ambitions of reaching North America.

Mbeumo would have been a stellar addition to this summer’s tournament, but instead must wait until 2030 for his next opportunity to turn out in the competition.

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Benjamin Sesko

Frustration for the Slovenian. | Catherine Ivill/AMA/Getty Images

Benjamin Šeško’s slow start to life at Old Trafford has accelerated since the turn of the year. The towering striker has been in super form for his new club, producing a string of crucial goals for interim manager Michael Carrick as United chase Champions League qualification.

Unfortunately for Slovenia, Šeško’s form arrived several months too late. The 22-year-old featured in four of his country’s six qualification matches towards the end of 2025, blanking in each as Slovenia stumbled to a third-placed finish and missed out on the playoffs.

Given Slovenia hasn’t featured at the World Cup since 2010, however, it’s little surprise they were unable to qualify—even following the competition’s expansion.

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