The 2026 edition gets under way on Thursday evening as Mexico face South Africa (8pm UK time). Four ex-Cobblers players will be in action this summer, adding their names to a surprisingly long list of players and managers with Sixfields connections who have graced the biggest stage of all. Here, we take a look at some of the club’s notable World Cup representatives over the years…
1. Colin Calderwood
Held various roles at Sixfields down the years, including manager, and is currently the club's technical director. Made 36 caps for Scotland and played twice in the 1998 World Cup in France. He's pictured here in action against Brazil's Ronaldo at the Stade de France. Scotland lost the game 2-1 and were knocked out of the group stage Photo: THOMAS COEX
2. Ivan Toney
A surprise call-up to Thomas Tuchel's squad for this summer's 2026 World Cup but a proud moment for Northampton's academy. The 30-year-old forward joined Cobblers as a teenager and came through the club's youth system before playing more than 50 times for the first-team, scoring 13 goals. Now represents Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia and has netted over 40 goals this season. He's already played in one major tournament - the 2024 Euros, scoring a crucial penalty in a shootout - and will hope to feature in North America. Photo: Dean Mouhtaropoulos
3. Ron Flowers
Northampton's most decorated World Cup connection. The former England midfielder joined Cobblers as player-manager in 1967, a year after being part of Sir Alf Ramsey's 1966 World Cup-winning squad. Although he did not play in the final, Flowers earned 49 England caps, scoring 10 goals, and featured at the 1962 World Cup in Chile. He also made over 60 appearances for Northampton in his playing days. Played 500 times for Wolves and sadly passed away in 2001 at the age of 87 Photo: Evening Standard
4. Ron-Robert Zieler
The goalkeeper played two games for Cobblers when on loan from Manchester United in 2008/09 before he was part of Germany's World Cup-winning squad in 2014. Made six appearances for his country and still playing now at the age of 37, currently representing Cologne in Germany Photo: Pete Norton