Nicosia, Cyprus. Ten of the 1,248 footballers from 48 countries participating in this year’s World Cup are based in Cyprus, with seven clubs represented among them. The group includes players from nine countries, all representing teams considered outsiders for the title.
Cyprus-based contingent
Among the 10 players is Guillermo Ochoa, the most internationally recognised name in the group. The Mexico goalkeeper will play at his sixth World Cup this summer, matching the record also held by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Ochoa, 40, signed for AEL last summer and made 26 appearances in all competitions for the Limassol club. He kept six clean sheets as AEL finished eighth in the first division.
AEL winger included
A 22-year-old South African winger, who was Ochoa’s teammate during the second half of last season, is also among the Cyprus-based players selected for the tournament. He joined AEL on loan from South African side Mamelodi Sundowns in January.
He made 15 appearances for AEL, scoring once in the league and once in the Cyprus Cup.
Sunjic in Bosnia and Herzegovina squad
Born in Zenica to an ethnically Croatian family, Sunjic changed his international allegiance from Croatia to Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2024 after previously playing for the Croatian national team.
The defensive midfielder joined Pafos FC from Birmingham City in 2024. He made 46 appearances in all competitions last year, including seven in the club’s Champions League campaign, but missed last month’s Cyprus Cup final win with a muscle injury.
Australia call-up
A Croatia-born centre half has been selected by Australia for the tournament. He has made 57 appearances for Australia since his international debut in 2016 and is set to attend his third World Cup after being named in the squads for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.