World Cup 2026: England and Scotland squads draw from across UK

The 2026 men's World Cup begins this week across the United States, Mexico and Canada, with fans in England and Scotland preparing to follow their teams.

A postcode analysis shows which current and former players from the four home nations were born or raised in each area since 1950.

England players come from places including Torquay and Blyth. Manchester's Nico O'Reilly has the city's 0161 dialling code tattooed on his arm. Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford received his own parking space at a local Lidl store after the 2018 tournament.

Scotland captain Andy Robertson once worked the tills at Marks & Spencer on Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow. Striker Lawrence Shankland held a job at a plumbing factory in Hillington before turning professional.

A record 10 players in the current England squad were born in London, exceeding the number from the so-called Golden Generation of the 2000s that included David Beckham, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard.

The North West region has supplied more England World Cup players than any other and has seven members in Thomas Tuchel's squad. Goalkeepers Dean Henderson and James Trafford both come from Cumbria. Henderson made a two-and-a-half-hour round trip from Whitehaven to Carlisle United's academy, while Trafford grew up on his family's farm near Cockermouth.

Four players in the squad come from the North East, including Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson, who was selected for a joint England-record fourth World Cup.

Glasgow has produced more World Cup players than any other UK council area since 1950. The city also gave early opportunities to Scotland defenders Nathan Patterson and Aaron Hickey. Scott McKenna became the first player from the small Angus town of Kirriemuir to reach a World Cup.

The data covers the 536 players selected for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland squads at men's World Cups since 1950. Birthplaces are recorded where known, or otherwise where players grew up.