England and Brazil set for potential World Cup quarter-final clash with Manchester United teammates on opposite sides
Matheus Cunha and Kobbie Mainoo could face each other in the knockout rounds if both nations advance past their round of 16 opponents
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is cooking up one of those storylines that football fans live for. If results go a certain way in the round of 16, England and Brazil will meet in the quarter-finals, pitting two Manchester United teammates against each other on the biggest stage in the sport.
The setup is straightforward. England needs to beat Mexico, and Brazil needs to beat Norway. If both results land, Kobbie Mainoo and Matheus Cunha will swap the same Old Trafford dressing room for opposing sides of a World Cup knockout tie.
The Manchester United connection
Cunha, the 27-year-old Brazilian striker, made the move to Manchester United from Wolverhampton Wanderers in August 2025 for £62.5 million. Since arriving at Old Trafford, he’s built a strong relationship with Mainoo, the homegrown English midfielder who has become one of the club’s most important young players.
Cunha has publicly praised Mainoo for his maturity and skill on the pitch. The two have spent the better part of a season sharing training sessions, tactical briefings, and the general grind of Premier League football.
Both teams grinding through the bracket
Brazil’s path to this potential quarter-final has already included some drama. The Selecao advanced to the knockout stages after a 2-1 victory over Japan. England has also progressed through the group stages, though Mainoo’s involvement has been somewhat limited.
The historical weight of an England-Brazil World Cup meeting is substantial. The most recent came at the 2002 World Cup, when Brazil won 2-1 on their way to lifting the trophy. That match featured Ronaldinho’s infamous free kick that lobbed David Seaman.