FC Groningen has 13 former players selected for the World Cup. The World Cup starts on Thursday evening with the opening match between Mexico and South Africa.

Who are the 13 World Cup players from FC Groningen?

The 13 players include Virgil van Dijk, Leandro Bacuna, Juninho Bacuna, Jearl Margaritha, Hjalmar Ekdal, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Jørgen Strand Larsen, Alexander Sørloth, Ritsu Doan, and Ko Itakura.

Groningers at Curaçao

Curaçao is the most 'Gronings' with three Stadjers who have played for FC Groningen. Leandro Bacuna is the captain, while his brother Juninho Bacuna is also selected.

Top strikers

Norway has, in addition to star player Erling Braut Haaland, two top strikers with a history at FC Groningen: Jørgen Strand Larsen and Alexander Sørloth.

Doan and Itakura

Japan also has two former FC Groningen players who played together: Ritsu Doan and Ko Itakura.