Five blockbuster duels between club-mates at World Cup 2026
Marquinhos v Hakimi, Odegaard v Saliba and Valverde v Carvajal feature as FIFA highlights five potential battles between club team-mates in the World Cup group stage.
The FIFA World Cup 2026™ draw produced a host of mouthwatering contests – and among those were several match-ups which will see club colleagues go head-to-head on the biggest stage of them all.
Here, we highlight five potential group-stage battles between club-mates at the global spectacular.
Group C | 13 June New York New Jersey Stadium
Two stalwarts of Paris Saint-Germain’s glorious modern-day era will face off when Brazil and Morocco clash in New York New Jersey. Marquinhos and Achraf Hakimi played integral roles for a PSG team who won six trophies in 2025, including the UEFA Champions League and FIFA Intercontinental Cup.
Both are also key players for their national teams. Marquinhos is a classy and composed presence in the of the heart of the Brazil backline, while Morocco full-back Hakimi combines intelligent defending with penetration and world-class quality in the final third. Who will come out on top when the South American and African heavyweights collide in this tantalising Group C showdown?
Group F | 14 June Dallas Stadium
Two Liverpool players are primed to lead out their teams when the Netherlands and Japan lock horns in Dallas. Dominant centre-back Virgil van Dijk captains the Dutch, while midfield general Wataru Endo is captain of the East Asian powerhouse. Both are influential motivational figures and will be out to inspire their teams to success in North America.
Endo could also have to contend with two more of his Reds team-mates in the match. A potential battle with Ryan Gravenberch in the middle of the park offers a fascinating subplot, while Endo’s defensive smarts may be needed to help nullify the attacking threat of Cody Gakpo.
Elsewhere, Japan forward Ayase Ueda has been the most dominant striker in the Eredivisie this season, scoring at better than a goal a game to run away with top scoring honours, and could also be in line to face several of his Feyenoord teammates at the global showpiece, including Quinten Timber and club captain Sem Steijn.
Group L | 17 June Dallas Stadium
Manchester City are set to field several representatives in this all-European contest, but a potential duel between Phil Foden and Mateo Kovacic could prove the most intriguing.
Foden has been in sparkling form for City this season and his performances have proved impossible for Thomas Tuchel to ignore, with the German coach recalling him to his England squad. Midfielder Kovacic could be charged with preventing Foden making his marauding runs forward and shooting from range. The Croatia star boasts bags of experience and has amassed more than 100 senior international caps. Kovacic is also tactically astute, works tirelessly, and has the quick feet and vision to quickly turn defence into attack.
City defenders John Stones and Josko Gvardiol could also feature in this Dallas match-up, while exciting full-back Nico O’Reilly has recently made his senior England debut.
Group I | 26 June Boston Stadium
Martin Odegaard and William Saliba have been cornerstones of Arsenal’s emergence as one of the most feared teams in Europe. They will be adversaries in Boston, however, when France and Norway lock horns in a heavyweight battle.
Odegaard, who captains his club and his country, is a fabulous all-round playmaker. A goalscorer and creator capable of turning matches in an instant, his link-up with Norway striker Erling Haaland is devastating. In Saliba, they will face a hulking centre-back who combines physicality with technical excellence and outstanding defensive instincts.
Group H | 26 June Estadio Guadalajara
They have won multiple major titles together with Real Madrid, but there is likely to be no love lost when Federico Valverde and Dani Carvajal go head-to-head on the global stage. Both fierce competitors, Carvajal has proven himself to be one of the finest all-round full-backs in world football. He has been frustrated by injury of late, though, with Valverde deputising for him admirably at Madrid. A midfield colossus by trade, the Uruguayan is expected to be team’s driving force at World Cup 2026.
Madrid have several other Spanish players in their squad, of course, with the likes of Raul Asencio, Dean Huijsen, Dani Ceballos and Fran Garcia having all won senior international caps.