It was disappointing to see Edimilson Fernandes not be selected for Switzerland, and it was massively disheartening to see Manuel Lanzini tear his ACL before representing Argentina. Still, there are Hammers who have survived both the final roster cuts and injury worries to make it with their countries to the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

So without further adieu, here are the Hammers playing this month (and maybe beyond) in Russia.

Cheikhou Kouyate - Senegal

Kouyate is the leader of the Teranga Lions and will hope to lead them to the extraordinary heights that his manager Aliou Cisse did in the 2002 World Cup.

As with the Hammers, the two way play of Cheik will be instrumental to his side going far or going home early, especially with his unquestioned captain’s role.

Joao Mario - Portugal

He’s still sort of a West Ham United player as of now, but without a doubt does Mario play an important role in whether Portugal’s most talented side in a long while will not be Cristiano Ronaldo or bust.

The very direct midfielder is in a great run of form, including that special goal he scored against Tunisia in the warm up friendlies. Still, it’s hard to see him coming back to the Hammers, unless his price tag from Inter Milan is greatly reduced to a rational fee.

Javier Hernandez - Mexico

It isn’t the best current version of Sir Chicharito leading up to this World Cup. A frustrating season with both Slaven Bilic and David Moyes has been consolidated with an alarmingly poor friendly warm-up series, not only for him but El Tri in general.

Still, Hernandez has scored in his first two World Cups and will always be capable of scoring at his third with his still constant belief in his goal-scoring abilities.

We all at Brace the Hammer wish all of them well!