The 2026 World Cup is less than a week away and four Leeds United stars will be in action. Gabriel Gudmundsson, Ao Tanaka, Brenden Aaronson and Noah Okafor should all have roles to play for their respective nations during football’ biggest tournament across the USA, Canada and Mexico.
That quartet will join a long list of Leeds players to feature at a World Cup, the first being Northern Ireland forward Wilbur Cush in 1958. In the 68 years since, stars have left West Yorkshire to play, score or even win the World Cup, writing their names into international history.
Below, the YEP has put together a Leeds World Cup XI of players to have made their mark on the tournament over the years - with a few hoping to do so this summer. Take a look to see who features...
1. GK: Nigel Martyn
In the England squad as understudy to David Seaman during the 1998 and 2002 World Cups. | Getty Images
2. RB: Gary Kelly
Played for the Republic of Ireland in two tournaments, in 1994 and 2002. | Getty Images
3. CB: Jack Charlton
The only Leeds player to play in a World Cup-winning side, with Norman Hunter in the 1966 England squad but not used. Also featured in the 1970 edition. | Getty Images
4. CB: Lucas Radebe
The Chief proudly captained South Africa during the 1998 and 2002 World Cups. | AFP via Getty Images
5. LB: Gabriel Gudmundsson
The Swede looks set to feature for Sweden at this summer's World Cup following an excellent debut campaign in the Premier League. | Getty Images
6. RM: Peter Lorimer
Played in all three matches during Scotland's 1974 World Cup campaign, scoring a spectacular goal in a 2-0 win over Zaire (now DR Congo). | Getty Images