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…
9. Tete Yengi
The one-time Cobblers loanee is in the Australian squad this summer and scored on his international debut over the weekend, netting in a 1-1 draw with Switzerland in a warm-up game. Yengi did not have the best time of it at Sixfields in 2023 but he's scored 10 goals for Livingston and spent the second half of last season on loan at Japanese club Machida Zelvia, netting six times in 22 matches to earn himself a World Cup call-up Photo: Orlando Ramirez
10. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Another failed Cobblers boss who has World Cup history. Went to the 1998 tournament with the Dutch alongside the likes of Patrick Kluivert, Dennis Bergkamp and Marc Overmars. Started the first game but sat out much of the rest of the tournament as the Netherlands finished fourth. Worked as a coach for England under Southgate but did not go to a World Cup. He's also appeared as a pundit for ITV and BBC at various World Cups. Currently assistant coach for Suriname Photo: Craig Prentis
11. Eddie McGoldrick
Played over 100 times for Cobblers in the 1980s and coached the club's youth team between 2009 and 2012. Represented Republic of Ireland at the 1994 World Cup. Played 15 times for his country in total Photo: Pete Norton
12. Terry Fenwick
Lasted only seven games as Cobblers boss in 2003. 20 caps for England and started against Argentina when Maradona scored his infamous Hand of God goal in 1986. Most recently managed Trinidad and Tobago, overseeing a 7-0 defeat to USA Photo: Getty Images