United World (Cup)
Tahith Chong joins a very exclusive Sheffield United World Cup Club, as David Beeden assesses the Blades links heading to North America.
Prior to the Qatar World Cup in 2022, I penned an article about Sheffield United players who had represented their countries whilst plying their trade at the Lane.
As an addendum to this piece, I discussed whether the Blades had ever had any players go to the World Cup, whilst still actually being a Sheffield United player. It was slim pickings, with only six – that would rise to eight – after the 2022 tournament. However, only three have made it onto the grass and played in a World Cup game.
1954: Ted Burgin - England (Goalkeeper) – did not play
1958: Alan Hodgkinson - England (Goalkeeper) – did not play
1962: Alan Hodgkinson - England (Goalkeeper) – did not play
1994: Alan Kelly - Ireland (Goalkeeper) – did not play
1994: Jostein Flo - Norway (Striker) – played three games as Norway went out in the first round
1994: Roger Nilsen – Norway (Defender) – did not play
2002: Patrick Suffo - Cameroon (Striker) – played twice as sub, including being sent off against Germany. Bizarrely, he left United during the World Cup so technically only managed one appearance as a Blade!
2022: Iliman Ndiaye - Senegal (Striker) – played once as sub before starting the final group game vs. Ecuador as Senegal qualified. He then started the 1-0 defeat to England in the round of 16.
2022: Adam Davies - Wales (Goalkeeper) – did not play
Fast forward four years and we are set to add a player to this tally, with Tahith Chong perhaps an unlikely representative on the football world’s biggest stage. Curaçao are one of four new nations to appear at the tournament, joining Cape Verde, Jordan and Uzbekistan.
Alongside current Blade Chong, there are eight past United players involved. There could have been even more selected, but England chose not to take Harry Maguire, Aaron Ramsdale, Morgan Gibbs-White or Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Scotland opted not to pick Oli McBurnie, despite an excellent season for Hull that culminated in him scoring their promotion-securing goal.
Daniel Jebbison was a late cut from the Canada squad, after being named in the initial extended squad. Anel Ahmedhodžić has made himself unavailable for his country for the last few years. Yasser Larouci has fallen out of favour for Algeria, as he has spent the last season on loan in the Greek league.
Granted, the connection to the Blades may be historic and/or brief, but these links may still pique interest, including a great trivia question for the future in the former Blades player who is managing at the tournament. Answer: Georgios Donis, who manages Saudi Arabia. You may also recall that the late Alex Sabella managed Argentina at the 2014 World Cup.
Here are the Blades (permanents and loanees), from most to least recent, who are set to take part. Who will start, and who has the opportunity to make the biggest impact during the greatest show on earth?
* = games that feature former Blades against each other
Tahith Chong - Curaçao (Midfield/Attack)
Caps: 4 games (2 goals)
Profile
Tahith Jose Girigorio Djorkaef Chong actually played for the Netherlands as a youth player right up to u21 level. He requested to switch international allegiance to Curaçao, the country of his birth, in August 2025, around the time that he signed for the Blades. He scored twice on his debut in a vital 3-2 World Cup Qualifier against Bermuda and has played a further two games, but injury prevented selection in other games this calendar year until he returned for a heavy loss to Australia. He also started in their recent friendly defeat to Scotland, scoring a superb individual goal.
Potential Impact
Curaçao are not expected to qualify for the knockout stages, and to even register a point would be considered a success. Along with Haiti, they are the rank outsiders at 5000-1 to win the World Cup. A tough start against Germany is followed by games against two other sides much more fancied than Curaçao, and it would be hard to see them achieving anything but fourth and an early exit. Qualifying was a feat and Chong is joined by other players with English league experience in Juninho Bacuna (ex-Huddersfield/Rangers/Birmingham), Leandro Bacuna (ex-Aston Villa and others), Kenji Gorré (ex-Swansea), Sontje Hansen of Middlesbrough and Ar’jany Martha of Rotherham.
Chong will play and he might get a chance to impress if he sees enough of the ball. His future at United is uncertain, so it would work for all parties if he has any kind of impact. We can only hope he shows flashes of that recent Scotland goal, which could see him stand out and alert clubs who might hand us a load of money – the Karel Poborský effect, if you like!
Games
v Germany, Sunday June 14th, 6pm BST, Houston
v Ecuador, Sunday June 21st, 1am BST, Kansas City
v Ivory Coast, Thursday June 25th, 9pm BST, Philadelphia
Tyler Bindon – New Zealand (Defence)
Caps: 22 games (2 goals)
Profile
Bindon was only 19 when he made his debut for the All Whites and has won 22 caps in two years, including an appearance off the bench during a pre-tournament friendly against England. He played in the Olympics in 2024 and, despite having already played for three clubs in the UK, has been a mainstay at the heart of the New Zealand defence. His last start was in March, a 4-1 friendly win against Chile.
Potential Impact?
Like with Curaçao, you can’t see New Zealand progressing far in the tournament but the new enlarged format means they could potentially battle Iran for third place. However, even this might not be enough, with only eight of the third best teams from the 12 groups going through.
Bindon will be busy, and with his Forest future uncertain despite having two more years left on his contract, he will know a positive tournament may garner interest from sides even outside the UK. I am not sure United will go back in for him as, with Tanganga and McGuinness still here, Wilder will look for a more dominant centre back.
Games
v Iran, Tuesday June 16th, 2am BST, Houston
v Egypt, Monday June 22nd, 2am BST, Vancouver
v Belgium, Saturday June 27th, 4am BST, Vancouver
Harry Souttar - Australia (Defence)
Caps: 38 games (11 goals)
Profile
Souttar was a Scotland youth international but switched to Australia; his brother John, currently at Glasgow Rangers, will be travelling to the World Cup as part of the Scotland squad. Souttar scored twice on his debut, a 5-0 win against Nepal, and then scored another brace in his second game! His free scoring continued and he has averaged almost one in three – remarkable for a player at the back. He is the tallest ever outfield player to play for the Socceroos. He played in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and impressed at the 2022 World Cup.
Potential Impact?
He hadn’t played for Australia since 2024, when he was on loan at the Lane. He tore his Achilles tendon, meaning he was not available for club and country for over a year, but has started the last two international friendlies, playing the full 90 of a 1-0 loss to Mexico and 81 minutes of their 1-1 draw with Switzerland. He also recently returned for Leicester but it was too late to prevent the Foxes from plummeting into the third tier, despite a goal and some impressive performances.
Australia have selected him in spite of his injury issues, as he has been a dominant force for them. The group they are in presents a mixed bag: they might be the least fancied of the four, but there are no powerhouses in this group so I would not be shocked if they advanced.
Souttar will surely be looking to find a suitor – he has been linked with United and if he continues his rehabilitation then perhaps we might go back for him, as we look for that dominant centre back. However, if he performs well, then we might face competition for his services.
Games
v Turkey, Sunday June 14th, 5am BST, Vancouver
v USA, Friday June 19th, 8pm BST, Seattle*
v Paraguay, Friday June 26th, 3am BST, San Francisco Bay
Anis Ben Slimane – Tunisia (Midfield/Attack)
Caps: 41 games (4 goals)
Profile
Born in Denmark, Slimane was another who played for his country of birth in the junior sides, but moved his allegiance – he played for Tunisia at u20 level and then was picked for the full national side. He started two of their three games in Qatar prior to joining United. After his career somewhat stalled at the Lane, he has found a home at Carrow Road: he’s contracted with Norwich until 2028 and has shown some consistency after displaying only a few flashes of his ability with the Blades.
Potential Impact?
Another country who you do not envisage picking up many points. The three sides in their group all seem much stronger on paper. Slimane will have to work harder than he ever did with United, as his country will not see much of the ball, but he could get some opportunities on the counter attack.
He was a player that never seemed to last 90 minutes, so it will be interesting to see if this continues in the summer.
Games
v Sweden, Monday June 15th, 3am BST, Monterrey
v Japan, Sunday June 21st, 5am BST, Monterrey
v Netherlands, Friday June 26th, 12am BST, Kansas City
Auston Trusty - USA (Defence)
Caps: 8 games
Profile
Auston Levi-Jesaiah Trusty is now 27 and coming off the back of winning the Scottish Premiership title on the final day. His own performances were somewhat inconsistent, with errors occurring with alarming regularity. He has only played eight times over a three-year span for his country, but he did start in a 2-0 defeat to Portugal in April, and came off the bench for his country’s last two friendlies in preparation for the World Cup.
Potential Impact?
Trusty has not been a regular pick in the USA starting lineup. Former Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino has operated with three centre backs but has preferred Crystal Palace’s Chris Richards, alongside veteran Tim Ream and youngster Alex Freeman. Richards has picked up an injury which meant he did not start the Europa Conference final win for the Eagles but is expected to be fit.
Trusty will probably only play in the event of injuries and I am surprised they do not have any other players that they see as better options. Another former Blade, Cameron Carter-Vickers, may have been considered, but he has suffered with injuries. USA are a host nation but the pundits and experts do not see them going very far. They have probably had more talent and a deeper squad in previous tournaments and, despite the popularity increase of Major League Soccer, the understandable influx of foreign players has arguably come at the expense of developing young domestic players. The group they are in means it is not beyond the realms of possibility they progress, and they face Souttar’s Australia in a potential winner-takes-all game.
Games
v Paraguay, Saturday June 13th, 2am BST, Los Angeles
v Australia, Friday June 19th, 8pm BST, Seattle*
v Turkey, Friday June 26th, 3am BST, Los Angeles
Iliman Ndiaye - Senegal (Attack)
Profile
Ndiaye was, of course, the most recent Blade to play at the World Cup, whilst still on the books at Bramall Lane. He has continued the ascension of his career, despite his move to Marseilles not being the success he would have envisaged. Now a key man for Everton and drawing attention from a number of top Premier League clubs, Ndiaye has been a regular starter for Senegal. He was involved throughout the African Nations Cup last year, which saw Senegal win the trophy, before the events of the final saw the tournament awarded to hosts Morocco.
Potential Impact
Normally part of a three-man attack, alongside Sadio Mane and Nicolas Jackson, Ndiaye has operated on both sides. A mouthwatering clash against France at MetLife Stadium kicks off the campaign for the Lions. Ndiaye will line up against former Blade teammate Sander Berge. They finish with an all-African affair against Ivory Coast. Senegal have shown in recent tournament football that they can excite but perhaps lack structure and defensive organisation. They possess enough talent to get out of a tough group. For Ndiaye, he will look to continue to accelerate his reputation further and perhaps convince one of the World’s big clubs to take him on the next stage of his journey to the top.
Games
v France, Tuesday June 16th, 8pm. New York/New Jersey
v Norway, Tuesday June 23rd, 1am. Toronto * versus Berge
v Ivory Coast, Friday June 26th, 8pm. Toronto
Sander Berge – Norway (Midfield)
Profile
Berge has been a regular starter at Fulham since joining from Burnley two seasons ago, as the West London side have become an established Premier League outfit. Berge seems content with the Cottagers, being a popular figure with teammates and fans alike. Berge has been playing for his country for 9 years now, after making his debut at only 19 years of age. An almost ever-present for his country, he has amassed 64 appearances but only scored a single goal, and that was 7 years ago, against Malta. This is the first time Norway have qualified for a major tournament since 2000, as they surprisingly hammered Italy both home and away en route to qualifying for the World Cup.
Potential Impact
Berge plays in a midfield three with Martin Odegaard and Patrick Berg, with Berge being the defensive anchor of the trio, sitting in front of the defence. Norway relies a great deal on Erling Haaland for goals, of course, but he invariably delivers. Their group is not easy with tough opposition in Senegal and France, but they qualified with ease, winning all eight fixtures. They will be confident of getting out of their group and then, who knows?
Games
v Iraq, Tuesday June 16th, 11pm. Boston
v Senegal, Tuesday June 23rd, 1am. Toronto * versus Ndiaye
v France, Friday June 26th, 8pm. Boston
Dean Henderson – England (Goalkeeper)
Profile
After watching a young Henderson play so well in his two seasons with United, I was convinced he would go right to the top. His route has been circuitous as he never fully established himself back at Old Trafford and had to have a loan spell at Forest, before finally moving to Crystal Palace. The last year has seen him win the FA Cup, Community Shield and Europa Conference League titles – the latter as captain. He has been a consistent performer for the Eagles and maybe Man Utd gave up on him too early, especially considering some of their goalkeeping issues in recent years. He is a fan favourite wherever he goes with his ability to connect with the supporters and lay it all on the line.
Potential Impact
England have had an undoubted number one in Jordan Pickford for some time but Henderson has moved ahead of others in terms of being the next in line with the likes of Ramsdale, Pope, Trafford and others not even being regulars at their club sides. I remain steadfast that Henderson eventually will usurp Pickford and be the England number one, but, for this tournament, he will be a backup and will probably not feature unless unfortunate circumstances befall our existing number one.
Games
v Croatia, Wednesday June 17th, 9pm. Dallas
v Ghana, Tuesday June 23rd, 9pm. Boston
v Panama, Saturday June 27th, 10pm. New York/New Jersey
Che Adams – Scotland (Attack)
Profile
Seems a long time since Adams was with the Blades. He left in 2016 – ten years ago! Since then, he has been at Birmingham and Southampton, before making a surprise move to Torino, in Italy. He is in the 2nd of a three-year deal. He scored ten goals in 2024-2025 and followed up with nine more this last campaign. He ended the season with a late equaliser in the Turin Derby against Juventus, which will of course have enhanced his reputation with Il Toro. In terms of his international career, Adams could have played for England or Antigua and Barbados but picked Scotland, with his maternal grandmother being from Edinburgh. He became the first black player to represent Scotland in a major tournament (Euro 2020). He started all three games in Euro 2024 but his country exited in the first round.
Potential Impact
Adams has started a lot of the qualifiers for Scotland, and they do not have an assortment of goalscorers. Lawrence Shankland has had an excellent season for Hearts, but the other options are Championship strikers in George Hirst (albeit just been promoted), Ross Stewart and Lyndon Dykes. Adams might get the nod, depending on what formation Steve Clarke plays. Scotland traditionally struggles at the big tournaments and a minnow, such as Haiti, have caused them problems before. Yet, this opening fixture and Morocco are not the hardest of opening games. Brazil, although not the side they were, will likely be too strong but Scotland do have a chance of finishing 2nd in this group.
Games
v Haiti, Sunday June 14th, 2am. Boston
v Morocco, Friday June 19th, 11pm. Boston
v Brazil, Wednesday June 27th, 11pm. Miami
Georgios Donis – Saudi Arabia (Manager)
Profile
Donis, who was the first Greek to play in the Premier League, for Blackburn Rovers, had a nomadic footballing career. Donis played 21 games for his country over a six-year span. He played 7 games for us under Steve Bruce, signing as a free agent, and recall him being quite an exciting winger, with one superb showing, albeit in a hammering at Ipswich at the end of the 1998-99 season. Sadly, Bruce took him to Huddersfield with him after resigning from the Lane. After finishing his playing career, he moved back to Greece and went on a remarkable coaching journey, taking in 14 clubs. He has spent time in his homeland, Cyprus, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Israel. In April this year, he was named the new national team coach of Saudi Arabia, replacing the charismatic and popular Hervé Renard. This was a surprise change and will be a tough act for Donis to follow. He has only managed one game so far – a defeat to Ecuador – in May.
Potential Impact
Drawn in Group H alongside Spain and Uruguay, two sides with deep tournament pedigree, as well as the rapidly improving Cape Verde, Donis’ margin for error is minimal. The nation will want to lay down a marker ahead of being hosts, in 2034, as the game looks to develop even further in the Saudi Kingdom.
Games
v Uruguay, Monday 15th June, 11pm. Miami
v Spain, Sunday 21st June, 5pm. Atlanta.
v Cape Verde, Saturday 27th June, 1am. Houston
Summary
A number of the players are expected to start, although the likes of Souttar, Bindon, Slimane, Chong, and their respective sides may not advance that far. Berge and Ndiaye might go deeper into the tournament in terms of escaping the group stages. Adams and Trusty are not guaranteed starters for sides that will struggle to advance. I would be surprised if we see any of our World Cup United players be involved as the tournament reaches the final stages, and maybe only Henderson, with England, might be around for the closing rounds.
Certainly, some of the former Blades are remembered more fondly than others. Berge, Ndiaye, Henderson and even Souttar contributed to successful sides. Adams was a young prospect who we made decent money on his sale. Others were not with United for that long (loans – Bindon; or did not work out - Slimane, Trusty), and the one that remains, Chong, many supporters would be happy for him to move on already, despite only signing last year.
As the World Cup moves to Spain/Portugal and Morocco in 2030, we will see if anyone joins the 9 players who have played for their countries, whilst still a Sheffield United player. It remains a very elite list, and the fact that only three (soon to be four with Chong) have actually stepped foot on a pitch at a World Cup, whilst still a Blade, is a damning statistic.
Keep an eye out for more World Cup writing and podcasts from The Pinch over the course of the tournament ⚽🏆
Thanks, David
As always, your capacity for research and statistics is really impressive!
“…but England chose not to take Harry Maguire, Aaron Ramsdale, Morgan Gibbs-White or Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Scotland opted not to pick Oli McBurnie, despite an excellent season for Hull that culminated in him scoring their promotion-securing goal.”
Crying shame that is.
Your assessment seems very much on the mark, so good luck to Chong, even if he only plays a couple of matches.
Sue.