Brothers playing in FIFA World Cup 2026 Niko Inaki Desire

FIFA World Cups are as much about shared memory as they are about football. They are, at the same time, grand and intimate — a collective realisation that we are about to turn the page to a brand-new chapter in our global family album.

While billions build memories watching the action unfold, a select few are crafting theirs directly on the pitch. The ultimate intersection of football and family belongs to seven sets of brothers playing in the 2026 showpiece. While some households have the happy headache of splitting their allegiances as the siblings represent different badges, others have a straightforward and aligned legacy waiting to be forged under one flag.

Here are the brothers taking the field in the upcoming iteration of the World Cup:

Nico Williams (Spain) and Inaki Williams (Ghana): Though both ply their trade for Athletic Bilbao in LaLiga, the 23-year-old Nico decided to represent Spain, whereas the 31-year-old Inaki went with the country of his parents’ birth: Ghana. The Williams family must have got a hang of divided loyalties, for this is Nico and Inaki’s second rodeo at the quadrennial event.

Desire Doue (France) and Guela Doue (Ivory Coast): The latest battle between the Doue siblings saw Guela claim the bragging rights by scoring the equaliser against France. Although his younger brother, the 21-year-old Paris Saint-Germain playmaker, was an unused substitute, Desire set aside France’s 1-2 loss to share a warm embrace with Guela — a picture of brotherly love after the friendly encounter.

Lucas Hernandez and Theo Hernandez (France): The presence of these Marseille-born brothers makes the French defence whole. While 28-year-old Theo is with Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, the elder sibling plays his club football closer to home with PSG. Their family agenda will be banishing the ghosts of finishing runner-up in Qatar by going the distance in the Americas.

Theo, left, and Lucas, right, at a French training session.
| Photo Credit:
AFP

Harry Souttar (Australia) and John Souttar (Scotland): Leicester City’s Harry and Rangers FC’s John, both defenders by profession, punched their tickets through different nations. While 27-year-old Harry opted to represent the country of his mother’s birth, his 29-year-old brother stayed true to his Scottish roots.

Juninho Bacuna and Leandro Bacuna (Curacao): The Bacuna brothers, both born in the Dutch town of Groningen, will be navigating football’s biggest tournament representing the smallest nation to ever qualify for the World Cup. The 34-year-old Leandro has racked up 70 caps in over 10 years for Curacao, with 28-year-old Juninho, a midfielder, amassing 49 senior international appearances.

Deroy Duarte and Laros Duarte (Cape Verde): Born in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, Deroy and Laros will be the toast of Cape Verde when the nation makes its debut. Tasked with anchoring the midfield, Deroy, the younger of the two, and Laros likely perfected their partnership during the impromptu strategy sessions at the family dining table.

Brian Brobbey (Netherlands) and Derrick Luckassen (Ghana): There will be no half-measures when these half-brothers walk out to represent the Oranje and the Black Stars, respectively. While Sunderland’s Brobbey earns his stripes as a striker, 30-year-old Luckassen provides defensive steel for Ghana.

Only one of Quinten Timber and Jurrien Timber will be turning out for the Netherlands as the identical twins got separated when Jurrien was ruled out due to an injury. The onus now falls on Quinten to create everlasting memories playing mesmerising football for his country and family.