Aside from the seven Liverpool players going to the World Cup, there will also be interest in the 12 former Reds who are taking part.
Seeing one of your ex-players do well always provides an unexpected hint of pride when watching the World Cup, but the nature of the late-night fixtures means you may not stumble across the former Liverpool players by chance.
Here, we have listed all of the 12 ex-Liverpool players at this summer’s World Cup, from recently departed legends to academy graduates who have gone on to ply their trade elsewhere.
Liam Millar – Canada
DOHA, QATAR - Wednesday, November 23, 2022: Former Liverpool youngster Canada's Liam Millar during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group F match between Belgium and Canada at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Age: 26 | LFC Apps: 1
First on our list is the name that is most likely to have caught you out.
Liam Millar was a prolific forward at Liverpool’s academy, but he was actually born in Toronto and moved to England when he signed for Fulham at 13 years old.
Liverpool picked him up early on and he made one appearance for the first team, when a very young side beat Shrewsbury in the 2019/20 FA Cup fourth round replay
Since leaving Anfield in 2021, he played for Basel and Preston before signing for Hull where he has featured 50 times over the last two years.
World Cup 2026: Canada Fixtures
Canada vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina
Group B • Toronto Stadium
June 12 • 8pm
BBC 1
Canada vs. Qatar
Group B • BC Place, Vancouver
June 18 • 11pm
ITV 1
Switzerland vs. Canada
Group B • BC Place, Vancouver
June 24 • 8pm
ITV 1
*All times BST
Fabinho – Brazil
DOHA, QATAR - Friday, December 2, 2022: Brazil's Fábio Henrique Tavares 'Fabinho' during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group G match between Cameroon and Brazil at the Lusail Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Age: 32 | LFC Apps: 219
Fabinho may not start for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, but his selection in the squad signifies how the strength of the Saudi Arabian Pro League is viewed.
The holding midfielder is 32 years old now and, as we saw in his final year at Liverpool, is no longer able to keep up with the pace of Premier League football.
However, the heat and slower nature of the tournament could suit Fabinho and the Brazilian squad as they seek to win their first World Cup since 2002.
World Cup 2026: Brazil Fixtures
Brazil vs. Morocco
Group C • MetLife Stadium, New Jersey
June 13 • 11pm
BBC
Brazil vs. Haiti
Group C • Philadelphia Stadium
June 20 • 1:30am
ITV
Scotland vs. Brazil
Group C • Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
June 24 • 11pm
BBC
*All times BST
Andy Robertson – Scotland
COLOGNE, GERMANY - Wednesday, June 19, 2024: Scotland's captain Andy Robertson during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group A match between Scotland and Switzerland at the Müngersdorfer Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Age: 32 | LFC Apps: 378
It was a strange sight seeing Andy Robertson being paraded as Tottenham‘s new signing.
He may wear different colours now, but you would be hard-pressed to find a Liverpool supporter not wanting to see our former vice-captain do well in North America.
As the first skipper to lead his nation to the World Cup for 28 years, it will be a proud moment for Robertson when he walks out to sing Flower of Scotland in Boston.
World Cup 2026: Scotland Fixtures
Haiti vs. Scotland
Group C • Gillette Stadium, Boston
June 14 • 2am
BBC 1
Scotland vs. Morocco
Group C • Gillette Stadium, Boston
June 19 • 11pm
ITV 1
Scotland vs. Brazil
Group C • Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
June 24 • 11pm
BBC 1
*All times BST
Ben Gannon-Doak – Scotland
2T1GCCT Fir Park, Motherwell, UK. 13th Oct, 2023. UEFA Under-21 Euro 2025 Qualifier Football, Scotland U21s versus Hungary U21s; Ben Doak of Scotland Credit: Action Plus Sports/Alamy Live News
Age: 20 | LFC Apps: 10
Scotland are blessed with a strong midfield and full-backs, but their lack of dynamic attackers has arguably been their downfall at the last two European Championships, as they failed to get out of the group stage in either.
Ben Gannon-Doak could be their trump card this time, with Steve Clarke likely to start the Bournemouth winger on the right-hand side.
Due to injury, the 20-year-old hasn’t had the easiest of times since moving to the south coast for £20 million last summer, but this could be the chance to put his name back up there among the most promising youngsters in football.
Ozan Kabak – Turkiye
BAKU, AZERBAIJAN - Tuesday, June 15, 2021: Turkey's Ozan Kabak during a training session at the Baku Olympic Stadium ahead of the UEFA Euro 2020 Group A match between Turkey and Wales. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Age: 26 | LFC Apps: 13
When reading through Turkiye’s squad list, it was somewhat of a surprise to see Ozan Kabak’s name among their defenders going to the tournament.
Still only 26 years old, the centre-half spent time at Norwich after returning to Schalke from his short 2021 loan at Liverpool.
In 2022, he joined Hoffenheim where he played 25 times this season to help his team to a fifth-place finish in the Bundesliga.
The seemingly perennial dark horses, Turkiye, aren’t particularly fancied this year, but they have been handed a relatively kind group from which they will hope to progress.
World Cup 2026: Turkiye Fixtures
Australia vs. Turkiye
Group D • BC Place, Vancouver
June 14 • 5am
ITV 1
Turkiye vs. Paraguay
Group D • Levi’s Stadium, San Jose
June 20 • 5am
ITV 1
Turkiye vs. USA
Group D • Los Angeles Stadium
June 26 • 3am
ITV 1
*All times BST
Mo Salah – Egypt
Mohamed Salah Egypt (Sebo47 / Alamy Stock Photo)
Age: 33 | LFC Apps: 442
A global megastar, Mo Salah‘s presence in the US has already caused hysteria among fans during Egypt’s warm-up friendlies.
With his next club still undecided, he may have to field questions about his future over the course of the next few weeks.
The attacker’s focus, however, will very much be on getting out of a group that also contains Belgium and Iran.
World Cup 2026: Egypt Fixtures
Belgium vs. Egypt
Group G • Seattle Stadium
June 15 • 8pm
BBC One
New Zealand vs. Egypt
Group G • BC Place, Vancouver
June 22 • 2am
ITV 1
Egypt vs. Iran
Group G • Seattle Stadium
June 27 • 4am
BBC 2
*All times BST
Darwin Nunez – Uruguay
2XDNMR7 Uruguay's Darwin Nunez celebrates after scoring his side's 2nd goal against Panama during a Copa America Group C soccer match in Miami Gardens, Fla, Sunday, June 23, 2024.(AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Age: 26 | LFC Apps: 143
Amid reports that Darwin Nunez would like to return to Liverpool, it will be interesting to see what level he is playing at after a year in Saudi Arabia.
Marcelo Bielsa’s team will be an exciting watch at the World Cup and Nunez’s frantic style should play right into the coach’s hands.
With no Luis Suarez in the squad, this is Nunez’s chance to take on the responsibility as his country’s talisman.
World Cup 2026: Uruguay Fixtures
Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay
Group H • Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
June 15 • 11pm
ITV 1
Uruguay vs. Cape Verde
Group H • Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
June 21 • 11pm
BBC 1
Uruguay vs. Spain
Group H • Guadalajara Stadium
June 27 • 1am
ITV 1
*All times BST
Ibrahima Konate – France
DOHA, QATAR - Wednesday, November 30, 2022: France's Ibrahima Konaté lines-up for the national anthem before the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group D match between Tunisia and France at the Education City Stadium. Tunisia won 1-0. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Age: 27 | LFC Apps: 183
Given he is set to be battling for a place in the Real Madrid starting XI next season, Ibrahima Konate will need to make a mark for France.
The centre-back will be fighting for a spot with Dayot Upamecano to play alongside William Saliba, and Konate’s recent mistakes, including a slip in a pre-World Cup friendly, could mean he starts the tournament on the bench.
With an incredibly strong front line, Les Bleus are among the favourites, but they will only go all the way if their defence holds tight.
World Cup 2026: France Fixtures
France vs. Senegal
Group I • MetLife Stadium, New Jersey
June 16 • 8pm
BBC 1
France vs. Iraq
Group I • Philadelphia Stadium
June 22 • 10pm
BBC 1
Norway vs. France
Group I • Gillette Stadium, Boston
June 26 • 8pm
ITV 1
*All times BST
Sadio Mane – Senegal
YEKATERINBURG, RUSSIA - JUNE 24, 2018: Senegal's Sadio Mane celebrates scoring in a 2018 FIFA World Cup Group H match against Japan at Yekaterinburg Arena. Sergei Bobylev/TASS
Age: 34 | LFC Apps: 269
Sadio Mane may be 34 years old but he is still the main man for Senegal, as he proved in their Africa Cup of Nations ‘win’ in January – well, technically it was a loss (we think) but that’s a conversation for another day.
A victory in their first match against France would be massive for the nation and seen as a triumph in its own right.
Given the talent in their squad, though, they will hope to do similar to what Morocco managed in Qatar, when they became the first African team to reach the semi-finals.
World Cup 2026: Senegal Fixtures
France vs. Senegal
Group I • MetLife Stadium, New Jersey
June 16 • 8pm
BBC 1
Norway vs. Senegal
Group I • MetLife Stadium, New Jersey
June 23 • 1am
ITV 1
Senegal vs. Iraq
Group I • Toronto Stadium
June 26 • 8pm
ITV 4
*All times BST
Luis Diaz – Colombia
Luis Diaz, Colombia
Age: 29 | LFC Apps: 148
Colombia are always a difficult team to face and it should be no different this month.
A kind start to the group, with matches against Uzbekistan and the DR Congo, should see them secure passage to the next round before they even face Portugal in their final group game.
Luis Diaz will be joined in attack by prolific striker Luis Suarez of Sporting, so they should provide a threat to any team they face in the knockout stages.
World Cup 2026: Colombia Fixtures
Uzbekistan vs. Colombia
Group K • Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
June 18 • 3am
BBC 1
Colombia vs. DR Congo
Group K • Guadalajara Stadium
June 24 • 3am
ITV 1
Colombia vs. Portugal
Group K • Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
June 28 • 12:30am
BBC 1
*All times BST
Jordan Henderson – England
LONDON, ENGLAND - Friday, October 13, 2023: England's captain Jordan Henderson leads his side out before an International Friendly match between England and Australia at Wembley Stadium. England won 1-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Age: 35 | LFC Apps: 492
It was perhaps a shock for some to see Jordan Henderson‘s name in the England squad, but Thomas Tuchel clearly appreciates the leadership qualities that the former Liverpool captain brings to a team.
He won’t start, but the 35-year-old will provide valuable experience as he becomes the first England player to go to seven major tournaments.
World Cup 2026: England Fixtures
England vs. Croatia
Group L • Dallas Stadium
June 17 • 9pm
ITV 1
England vs. Ghana
Group L • Gillette Stadium, Boston
June 23 • 9pm
BBC 1
Panama vs. England
Group L • MetLife Stadium, New Jersey
June 27 • 10pm
ITV 1
*All times BST
Jarell Quansah – England
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - Thursday, October 12, 2023: England's Jarell Quansah during the 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualifying Group F game between England and Serbia at the City Ground. England won 9-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Age: 23 | LFC Apps: 58
Jarell Quansah will likely be on the bench alongside Henderson, though he will hope to work his way into Tuchel’s starting XI as the tournament progresses.
The 23-year-old has impressed at Bayer Leverkusen in his first year away from Merseyside, playing 44 times in all competitions, including 11 games in the Champions League.
John Stones, Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa are the other centre-back options with which he has to contend for a place in the team.