The 14 Manchester City players playing in the knockout stage of the World Cup

Manchester City is still strongly represented in the knockouts of the World Cup.

Manchester City, after the conclusion of the group stages, still has an astounding 14 of their 16 players that initially got on their respective planes to Qatar in mid-September. Let’s look at who is still standing.

João Cancelo, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias (Portugal)

Similar to Spain, there was some last-match drama for Portugal. A last-minute winner from South Korea meant  Son Heung-min and his side snuck into 2nd place in the group, sending Uruguay home. João Cancelo started the game, while Bernardo Silva made a substitute appearance and Ruben Dias sat the last game on the bench with their spot all but secured entering their third and final game.

Kyle Walker, John Stones, Kalvin Phillips, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish (England)

The English bunch for Manchester City got off to a flying start in the competition, routing Iran 6-2, which put them in the driver’s seat to finish top of the group after just one game. While Stones started every game, Foden got just one start along with Kyle Walker who has now seemingly recovered from injury after starting and getting 57 minutes in the match against Wales.

Rodri, Aymeric Laporte (Spain)

It may not have been the way Rodri and Aymeric Laporte had envisioned this group ending, but getting into the knockouts is what matters. In some last-day madness, Japan beat Spain and overtook them in the group E table. However, they have the opportunity to right their wrongs against Morocco in the first round.

Julian Alvarez (Argentina)

La Araña, as he’s known, got his first start and a pivotal goal (his first World Cup goal for his country) for Argentina in their game against Poland, rifling a shot into the top corner in a tight space. His performance might just earn him another starting spot come their game against Australia.

Ederson (Brazil) 

Up until their final match, Ederson has been an unused substitute. But with their group wrapped up already, Manchester City’s number 1 got the nod in goal against Cameroon. What a great luxury it is to bring in a guy like Ederson as a backup to Allison in goal.

Nathan Ake (Netherlands) 

Nathan Ake might be in and out of the Manchester City side given the wealth of central defenders they have to call on but has been a mainstay for the Netherlands alongside Virgil Van Dijk. He has started all 3 games for Holland and will be looking to keep the USMNT quiet in front of goal.

Manuel Akanji (Switzerland) 

It was certainly a nervy road to the knockouts for Akanji and Switzerland, but they got there in the end. Manchester City’s Akanji will have a tough task ahead of him in the first round, facing off against Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal.

Will any Manchester City players lift the prestigious trophy?