The 2026 World Cup kicks off this evening with co-hosts Mexico facing South Africa, and Birmingham City has a notable presence in the tournament.
Current Blues Player
Midfielder Paik Seung-ho is the only current Birmingham City player participating. The 29-year-old represents South Korea and aims to add to his 27 caps as they face Czechia in Group A early Friday morning.
Former Blues Stars
Three ex-Blues players are part of Scotland's first World Cup squad since 1998: Grant Hanley, Lyndon Dykes, and Che Adams.
Jude Bellingham, the most prominent former Birmingham player, is in England's squad alongside ex-loanee Dan Burn, who played 24 Championship games for Blues in 2013/14.
Auston Trusty, Blues' Player of the Year in 2022/23 during his loan from Arsenal, represents the USA on home soil.
Ivan Sunjic, once the club's record signing, now plays for Bosnia and Herzegovina after switching from Croatia. He has played European football with Cypriot side Pafos.
Juninho Bacuna and Tahith Chong play for Curacao, starting against Germany before facing Ecuador and Ivory Coast in Group E.
Former loanees Hannibal Mejbri and Yan Valery are in Tunisia's squad for Group F matches against Sweden, Japan, and the Netherlands.
