The 2026 FIFA World Cup, the first expanded 48-team edition of soccer’s biggest global tournament, is just hours away from kicking off on Thursday, 11 June, in North America. As the world’s top football talent descends on the host nations, the tournament brings together a historic mix of living legends, seasoned stars, and breakout young talents ready to leave their mark on the global stage. From decades-long veterans chasing one last title to teen prodigies making their first World Cup appearance, here are the 10 players that every football fan should have on their radar over the coming weeks.
First up is Lionel Messi, the heart and soul of defending champion Argentina. Eight years after his first World Cup appearance, and four years after he fulfilled a lifelong dream by lifting the trophy in Qatar – the only major honor missing from his unparalleled trophy cabinet – the 38-year-old Argentine icon is set to make his sixth World Cup appearance, tying a record for most World Cup tournaments played by any player. While age and fitness may limit his minutes this time around, his influence on the pitch and leadership in the dressing room remain irreplaceable as Argentina aims to become only the third men’s national team to repeat as World Cup champions.
Next is Spanish teen prodigy Lamine Yamal, who already outperforms most senior pros despite being just 18 years old. Fresh off playing a pivotal role in Spain’s 2024 UEFA European Championship title, the dynamic winger is making his first ever World Cup appearance. If he can maintain the clinical finishing and creative flair that turned heads across Europe, Yamal is on track to become the youngest top goal scorer in the tournament’s storied history.
For France, Kylian Mbappé is entering this tournament with unfinished business. The 2022 World Cup was bittersweet for the French star: he scored a sensational hat trick in the final against Argentina, becoming only the second player ever to achieve the feat, and took home the Golden Boot as the tournament’s top scorer – but fell just one penalty short of lifting the trophy. Now older, more experienced, and hungry for redemption, Mbappé is fully focused on claiming the gold medal that slipped through his fingers four years ago. Off the tournament track, he is also on the cusp of breaking Olivier Giroud’s all-time French national team goal record: he needs just one more goal to match Giroud’s 57 career goals for France, a milestone he could reach at 27 years old, nearly a decade younger than when Giroud set the mark.
One of the most anticipated debuts at this year’s tournament belongs to Erling Haaland of Norway. Widely regarded as the most feared striker in European club football, the Manchester City forward has led Norway’s so-called “golden generation” to their first World Cup qualification in 28 years. Haaland dominated the qualifying round, netting 16 goals – more than double the tally of his closest competitor. Last October, he became just the sixth men’s player in international football history, and the first in 53 years, to score 50 international goals in fewer than 50 caps, cementing his well-earned nickname as a “goal machine.” At 25, he is already at the peak of his powers and ready to terrorize defenses in North America.
Like Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo is set to make his sixth World Cup appearance – and this will almost certainly be the Portuguese icon’s last. At 41 years old, Ronaldo remains as fit and competitive as ever, still a consistent goal scorer at the club level. After a lifetime of continental and club success, the one honor that has eluded him is the World Cup trophy. After limited playing time in Qatar 2022, he is expected to get far more minutes under manager Roberto Martinez as he chases that elusive title.
England’s captain Harry Kane enters the tournament in the form of his life, fresh off winning his first Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich. The 2018 World Cup Golden Boot winner is aiming to make history at this year’s tournament: if he claims the top scorer honor again, he will become the first men’s player ever to win the Golden Boot at two separate World Cups. As the leader of one of the tournament’s pre-tournament favorites, the in-form striker will be the main attacking threat for Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions side.
Brazil, the five-time World Cup champion, is aiming to reclaim its place at the top of global football, and all eyes will be on Vinícius Júnior, who has grown from a promising young winger to one of the best players in the world since the 2022 World Cup. Named the 2024 FIFA Men’s Player of the Year after a historic season with Real Madrid under Carlo Ancelotti – who now also leads Brazil’s national team – Vinícius is the centerpiece of the Seleção’s attack alongside veteran legend Neymar Jr, who earned a surprise call-up despite recent injury concerns. With several other key Brazilian attackers sidelined by injury, all of Brazil’s attacking hopes will rest on Vinícius’s blistering pace, elite dribbling, and clinical finishing.
For Ghana, rising star Antoine Semenyo is set to become the face of the national team at his first ever World Cup. After joining Manchester City earlier this year, Semenyo has already made a massive impact, netting 10 goals and playing a key role in City’s title push. With key playmaker Mohammed Kudus ruled out of the tournament through injury, the 26-year-old forward will carry Ghana’s attacking threat as the side navigates a period of transition. Already, he has emerged as a talisman for the underrated African side.
Turkey is returning to the World Cup for the first time in more than two decades, and their biggest hope for a deep run is 19-year-old prodigy Arda Güler. Regarded as one of the most exciting young talents in European football, the Real Madrid attacking midfielder is making his first appearance at a major senior international tournament. Buoyed by a pool of emerging young talent, Turkey is not just happy to qualify – they are targeting a surprising deep run in the tournament, with Güler leading the charge.
Rounding out the list is Mohamed Salah, the captain of Egypt and one of the greatest African footballers of all time. With countless club trophies and individual records to his name, Salah has never lifted a major senior international trophy with Egypt, and this is expected to be his final World Cup appearance. Despite a recent minor muscle injury that disrupted his preparation, the 33-year-old – widely known as the “Egyptian King” – is fit and ready to lead his side, determined to settle unfinished business on the world’s biggest stage.