The 2026 men's World Cup begins this week across North America, and BBC Sport's interactive postcode tool lets fans discover which stars have local connections. From England's Nico O'Reilly sporting a Manchester area code tattoo to Scotland captain Andy Robertson's stint working at Marks & Spencer, players maintain strong ties to their origins.

England's squad shows remarkable London concentration with a record 10 players from the capital, surpassing the Beckham-era generation. The North West contributes seven representatives while the North East punches above its weight with four players, including Jordan Henderson making his fourth World Cup appearance. Goalkeepers Dean Henderson and James Trafford both emerged from Cumbria, with Henderson commuting over two hours daily to Carlisle's academy.

Scotland's resurgence stems heavily from Glasgow's football culture, producing more World Cup players than any UK council area since 1950. Robertson and McGinn join newcomers like Nathan Patterson, discovered playing for Rossvale in north Glasgow. Scott McKenna becomes the first from Kirriemuir, population 6,000, to reach the tournament.

The analysis covers 536 players from all four home nations since 1950, mapping birthplaces and childhood locations. While major cities dominate production, half of UK councils still await their first World Cup representative, highlighting the tournament's role in connecting communities to international sport.