Aston Villa’s eleven World Cup players have been assigned their squad numbers with the tournament starting on June 11th in North America.
- John McGinn wears No.7 for Scotland on their first World Cup since 1998
- Emiliano Martinez retains his iconic No.23 for Argentina as they defend their title
- Morgan Rogers wears No.17 and Ollie Watkins No.19 for England, his familiar Euro 2024 shirt
- Youri Tielemans carries No.8 and Amadou Onana No.24 for Belgium
The full list: familiar numbers for Villa faces
Several of Villa’s World Cup representatives will wear numbers that mirror their club shirts a detail that will provide a small but genuinely satisfying continuity for supporters watching their players on the global stage.
John McGinn — No.7 (Scotland). The Europa League-winning captain heads to the United States wearing seven for his country. Scotland make their first World Cup appearance since France 1998: a historic occasion that McGinn has been instrumental in delivering. Thiago Silva has already warned Brazil to beware the Villa captain ahead of their Group C clash in Miami.
Emiliano Martinez — No.23 (Argentina). The goalkeeper who played through a broken finger in the Europa League final retains his iconic 23 shirt as Argentina defend the title they won in Qatar. Martinez is targeting a return for their opening group stage fixture on June 17th after his finger injury recovery.
Youri Tielemans — No.8 (Belgium). The man whose thunderous volley in Istanbul is already one of the most iconic goals in Villa’s history carries eight for Belgium. The Europa League final match-winner heads to North America in the finest form of his career.
Amadou Onana — No.24 (Belgium). His Villa teammate and fellow Belgian heads to the tournament wearing 24. Onana’s injury absences this season underlined his importance to Villa’s system and Belgium will be hoping for his best form across the group stage and beyond.
Ezri Konsa — No.2 (England). The Europa League Team of the Season centre-back wears two for England. His consistent form throughout the season capped by a commanding final against Freiburg — made his World Cup selection entirely deserved.
Morgan Rogers — No.17 (England). The UEFA Europa League Player of the Season wears 17. His corner delivery for Tielemans’ iconic final goal and his own finish in Istanbul confirmed a campaign of extraordinary individual quality. England supporters will be expecting that form to continue in North America.
Ollie Watkins — No.19 (England). The striker who delivered 21 goals this season wears the same number he starred in during Euro 2024. His familiarity with the shirt and the confidence that comes with it could prove a small but meaningful psychological advantage across a tournament where margins are minimal.
Lucas Digne — No.3 (France). The experienced left-back wears three for Les Bleus as France chase back-to-back World Cup glory. Digne brings Europa League winner’s experience to a French squad targeting their third title.
Victor Lindelöf — No.3 (Sweden). The Swedish captain whose extraordinary midfield transformation across the final weeks of Villa’s season became one of the campaign’s defining stories, wears three for his nation. Sweden make a solid case for progress from their group.
Emiliano Buendia — No. TBC (Argentina). The Man of the Match in the Europa League final joins Martinez in Argentina’s defending champion squad. His technical quality and creative intelligence give the Albiceleste genuine depth in attacking areas.
Evann Guessand — No.22 (Ivory Coast). The young forward wears 22 for Ivory Coast. His World Cup involvement represents a significant milestone in a developing career with genuine long-term potential at Villa Park.
Villa’s numbers at a glance
| Player | Nation | Squad Number |
|---|---|---|
| John McGinn | Scotland | 7 |
| Emiliano Martinez | Argentina | 23 |
| Youri Tielemans | Belgium | 8 |
| Amadou Onana | Belgium | 24 |
| Ezri Konsa | England | 2 |
| Morgan Rogers | England | 17 |
| Ollie Watkins | England | 19 |
| Lucas Digne | France | 3 |
| Victor Lindelöf | Sweden | 3 |
| Emiliano Buendia | Argentina | TBC |
| Evann Guessand | Ivory Coast | 22 |
ReadAstonVilla Verdict
Eleven players. Seven nations. One Europa League trophy already in the cabinet. The 2026 World Cup is Villa’s greatest ever representation at a global tournament and watching this group of players perform on the biggest stage of all will be one of the summer’s great pleasures. Back them all, but keep one eye on the transfer window opening simultaneously. The Champions League campaign preparation never truly stops.
