England star Kobbie Mainoo has famous sibling not many people know about
The entire country will be cheering Kobbie Mainoo on Wednesday (17 June) evening as he makes his World Cup debut.
Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney is among those rooting for him ahead of England's first game - and his famous sibling will likely be cheering him on from the stands too.
Although all eyes are on Mainoo at the minute as he braces for his first World Cup fixture, he's not the only family member who has made a name for himself.
It might be old news to some, but those who are more in tune with the sporting world rather than reality TV probably have no idea that the midfielder has a talented older brother.
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Mainoo, 21, is part of the England squad that is aiming to end 60 years of hurt by winning the 48-team tournament in North America - and he reckons that the Three Lions have got it in the bag this year.
He recently revealed that he '100 per cent' believes that England will win the 2026 World Cup and finally bring it home.
Discussing how it feels to be living out his boyhood dream of playing in the international tournament, the Manchester United star said: "It’s very special, something I’ve dreamed of.
"So to be here and say that I’m playing in a World Cup is unbelievable. I’ve always wanted to play in a World Cup for all my life.
"It’s the biggest tournament in the world, so it’s definitely different from the Euros, but we will try and approach it in the same way with the goal that we want to win."
Mainoo bagged himself a spot in Thomas Tuchel's squad after enjoying a new lease of life at Man United under Michael Carrick in the second half of the season.
Former footie ace Rooney, 40, sent Mainoo his well wishes prior to England's opening game against Croatia, which will get underway tonight at the Dallas Stadium.
It read: "Hi Kobbie, just a message to say good luck at the World Cup. Just be yourself and you’ll be a star there, mate.
"Also, how you have handled everything this season has been a lesson to all young football players, a great example to young and old players."
Rooney said the breakout star was 'an inspiration' to aspiring players at the United Academy, before signing off his message saying: "Keep doing what you are doing. Be yourself. Much love, Wazza."
While Mainoo has been preparing for his debut on the world stage, his brother Jordan Mainoo-Hames - who is something of a star in his own right - has also been Stateside.
Although the siblings have followed completely different career paths, both of them have achieved incredible success in recent years.
Mainoo-Hames is a former Love Island star who has since found his feet in the fashion industry, and over the last few days, he has been sharing snaps of him living it large in Miami.
For those who don't know, Mainoo-Hames is the 'proud' older brother of the Man United ace who regularly shows his face at games to support his younger sibling.
There's ten years between the pair, who were both born in Manchester.
Mainoo-Hames shot to fame after starring on the fifth season of ITV's dating show Love Island back in 2019, before he went on to become a successful model.
He's worked for luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton and Jean Paul Gaultier, as well as dabbling in some DJing.
According to his YouTube bio, his passions are 'clothes, music, and film - in no particular order'.
The social media star also boasts an impressive 667,000 followers on Instagram, showing how much his popularity has exploded since his days in the villa.
But his little brother drastically outdoes him in this department, as Mainoo has a whopping 3.9million people keeping tabs on his posts.
Mainoo-Hames recently shared a vlog giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at his younger brother's 21st birthday bash in April.
The model ruffled some feathers in December last year after sporting a 'free Kobbie Mainoo' T-shirt while attending Man United's clash against Bournemouth at Old Trafford.
At the time, Mainoo looked set to leave the club - until Carrick’s appointment saw him play an instrumental part in United finishing third in the Premier League.
Now, the 21-year-old is set to make some magic on the pitch while representing England at the 2026 World Cup. What proud parents these two must have, eh?
New rules for the FIFA World Cup 2026
This year, there’s been a whole host of rule changes, many of which are designed to speed up the game and penalise players who drag things out. Some of the new regulations are likely to prove controversial.
10-second substitution
Subbed players now have to get a move on and leave the pitch within ten seconds by the nearest exit point. If they haven’t, their replacement will get held up by one minute until the next stoppage of play, and until then, their side will have to play with 10 men.
5-second throw-ins and goal kicks
If a referee thinks a player is taking too long for a throw-in or goal kick, they’ll start a five-second countdown, by which time the ball needs to be back in play. If it’s not, for throw-ins the opposing team will get their own throw-in, or for a goal kick the other side gets a corner.
Injured players to remain off the pitch for one minute
An injured player treated by medical staff off-field has to stay off the pitch for one minute, leaving their side with just 10 players.
More VAR
VAR can now be used to review an incorrectly awarded corner kick; second yellow cards resulting in a red card; when a player is incorrectly awarded a yellow or red card for another player’s actions; and any attacking fouls that occur before the ball is in play.
Players can’t cover their mouths
Players who cover their mouths in confrontational situations will be handed a red card. It’s believed players might cover their mouths to guard against lip readers while racially abusing other players, which some suspect has happened in the past.
Red cards for players leaving the pitch
Any player who leaves the pitch in protest over a referee’s decision will be handed a red card, and if a team walks off and causes a match to be abandoned, they’ll forfeit the game.
Topics: Football, UK News, World Cup, Sport, Love Island
Olivia Burke