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Manchester United's standing as one of football's biggest clubs has ensured a long and storied relationship with the World Cup throughout the years.
Every tournament features a host of Man Utd players representing nations from around the globe, and the upcoming 2026 edition will be no different. Portugal, Brazil and, naturally, England will all have Red Devils featured in their squads.
That said, a number of United's players won't be making the trip to North America to compete for football's most coveted prize, instead spending the summer resting and recovering while watching the action from home.
Some United stars simply won't earn their place in their national squads, while others already know they'll be sitting out after their countries failed to book a spot at the expanded 48-team tournament.
Every Man Utd Player Not Playing at the 2026 World Cup
Patrick Dorgu
Just a few United players will miss the World Cup entirely due to their nation failing to qualify. Patrick Dorgu is among them.
The dynamic full-back was sidelined for Denmark during its crucial European playoff ties against North Macedonia and Czechia through injury. The latter clash ended in heartbreak, with missed spot-kicks in the shootout — including one from Rasmus Højlund, still technically a United striker — proving decisive after a 2–2 draw following extra time.
Dorgu's fellow Danes couldn't get the job done, with Denmark missing out on just their third World Cup of the century. While it's a blow for the versatile defender personally, it's a silver lining for United, as it allows Dorgu to ease back into action as he regains full fitness.
Bryan Mbeumo
Bryan Mbeumo has had an impressive debut campaign at Old Trafford, though it has been tempered by disappointment on the international front. The 26-year-old had hoped to represent Cameroon at a second World Cup this summer, but a poor qualifying run has left the forward with a free schedule over the summer months.
Cameroon managed only a second-place finish in their qualifying group, falling into the CAF playoff rounds where a win would have secured a place in the inter-confederation playoffs. However, a penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo in the semifinal brought Cameroon's hopes of reaching North America to an end.
Mbeumo would have been a standout presence at this summer's tournament, but will now have to wait until 2030 for his next shot at the competition.
Benjamin Sesko
Benjamin Šeško's difficult start to life at Old Trafford has transformed significantly since the new year. The imposing striker has hit impressive form for his new side, delivering a series of vital goals under interim boss Michael Carrick as United push for Champions League qualification.
Sadly for Slovenia, Šeško's upturn in form came too late to make a difference. The 22-year-old appeared in four of his nation's six qualifying fixtures towards the end of 2025, failing to score in any of them as Slovenia slipped to a third-place finish and missed the playoff spots.
With Slovenia absent from the World Cup since 2010, it comes as little shock that they were unable to qualify — even with the tournament's expanded format.