Star Players
36 key players to watch at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Kylian Mbappe
Club: Real Madrid
One of the most electrifying players in world football. 2018 World Cup winner who scored a hat-trick in the 2022 final. Mbappe's pace, skill, and finishing make him the leading favorite for the Golden Boot.
Lionel Messi
Club: Inter Miami
Eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and 2022 World Cup champion. If he participates, this will be Messi's final World Cup, potentially capping the greatest career in football history.
Erling Haaland
Club: Manchester City
The most prolific goalscorer of his generation with 55 international goals in 48 games. The 2026 World Cup will be Haaland's first, making Norway's return after 28 years truly special.
Vinicius Junior
Club: Real Madrid
2024 Best FIFA Men's Player. Vinicius Jr.'s explosive dribbling, pace, and creativity make him Brazil's most dangerous attacking threat and one of the tournament's must-watch players.
Lamine Yamal
Club: FC Barcelona
The youngest superstar in world football. Two-time Kopa Trophy winner who dominated Euro 2024 as a teenager. Yamal leads Spain's new golden generation into the World Cup.
Jude Bellingham
Club: Real Madrid
England's midfield maestro who became a global star at Real Madrid. Bellingham's box-to-box ability, leadership, and eye for goal make him central to England's World Cup ambitions.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Club: Al Nassr
The all-time top international goalscorer. At 41, Ronaldo seeks to finally win the World Cup in what would be a fairy-tale ending to an extraordinary career spanning six World Cups.
Mohamed Salah
Club: Liverpool
One of the Premier League's greatest-ever players. Salah leads Egypt's charge and his combination of pace, finishing, and big-game mentality makes him a serious threat.
Harry Kane
Club: Bayern Munich
One of the most complete strikers in football. The all-time Premier League top scorer brings his clinical finishing and leadership to England's World Cup campaign.
Florian Wirtz
Club: Bayer Leverkusen
Germany's brightest young talent who was instrumental in Leverkusen's historic unbeaten Bundesliga season. Wirtz's creativity and vision are key to Germany's revival.
Pedri
Club: FC Barcelona
Spain's midfield metronome. Pedri's technical brilliance, vision, and composure on the ball make him the heartbeat of both Barcelona and La Roja.
Rodri
Club: Manchester City
2024 Ballon d'Or winner and Euro 2024 Player of the Tournament. Rodri's composure, passing range, and tactical intelligence anchor both Spain and Manchester City.
Julian Alvarez
Club: Atletico Madrid
Argentina's 2022 World Cup hero and a versatile forward who can play anywhere across the front line. Alvarez's work rate and finishing make him invaluable.
Alexis Mac Allister
Club: Liverpool
A key figure in Argentina's 2022 World Cup triumph. Mac Allister's elegance on the ball and ability to dictate tempo make him one of the world's best midfielders.
Emiliano Martinez
Club: Aston Villa
The hero of Argentina's 2022 World Cup penalty shootout victories. 'Dibu' Martinez is renowned for his psychological warfare and shot-stopping ability in high-pressure moments.
Bruno Fernandes
Club: Manchester United
Portugal's creative engine with an exceptional eye for goal from midfield. Fernandes' set-piece delivery and passing range make him a constant threat.
Raphinha
Club: FC Barcelona
A dynamic winger who has become one of Barcelona's key players. Raphinha's directness, crossing ability, and work rate make him vital to Brazil's attacking play.
Christian Pulisic
Club: AC Milan
The face of American soccer and a key player for AC Milan. 'Captain America' brings creativity, pace, and big-game experience to the USMNT on home soil.
Alphonso Davies
Club: Bayern Munich
One of the fastest players in world football. Davies' explosive pace and attacking ability from left-back make him Canada's star player in their home World Cup.
Achraf Hakimi
Club: Paris Saint-Germain
A key figure in Morocco's historic 2022 World Cup semi-final run. Hakimi's blistering pace and attacking prowess from right-back make him one of the best defenders in the world.
Luis Diaz
Club: Liverpool
Colombia's most exciting attacker with electrifying pace and dribbling skills. Diaz's direct running and goal threat make Colombia genuine dark horses.
Ousmane Dembele
Club: Paris Saint-Germain
France's mercurial winger with devastating dribbling ability on both feet. Dembele's unpredictability and pace provide a different dimension to France's attack.
Gianluigi Donnarumma
Club: Paris Saint-Germain
Euro 2020 Player of the Tournament. If Italy qualify through the playoffs, Donnarumma's commanding presence and shot-stopping will be crucial between the posts.
Raul Jimenez
Club: Fulham
Mexico's experienced talisman and one of the most accomplished Mexican strikers in European football. Jimenez brings leadership and clinical finishing to El Tri.
Santiago Gimenez
Club: AC Milan
Mexico's exciting young striker who made the leap to one of Europe's biggest clubs. Gimenez's goal-scoring prowess makes him key to Mexico's hopes as co-hosts.
Takefusa Kubo
Club: Real Sociedad
Japan's most creative talent, known for his dribbling and flair. Kubo is central to Japan's ambitions of reaching the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time.
Son Heung-min
Club: Tottenham Hotspur
Asia's greatest ever footballer and South Korea's captain. Son's pace, finishing, and experience make him one of the most dangerous attackers at the tournament.
Virgil van Dijk
Club: Liverpool
One of the greatest centre-backs of his generation. Van Dijk's commanding presence, aerial dominance, and composure anchor the Dutch defense.
Kevin De Bruyne
Club: Manchester City
Widely regarded as the best creative midfielder of his generation. De Bruyne's passing, vision, and shooting ability make Belgium a threat in any match.
Luka Modric
Club: Real Madrid
The 2018 Ballon d'Or winner who led Croatia to consecutive World Cup semi-finals. At 40, Modric may grace the World Cup stage for the final time.
Sadio Mane
Club: Al Nassr
Senegal's all-time great and the hero of their 2021 AFCON triumph. Mane's pace, directness, and big-game temperament make him Senegal's talisman.
Federico Valverde
Club: Real Madrid
A dynamic box-to-box midfielder who combines tireless energy with technical quality. Valverde is the engine of Uruguay's midfield and a key player at Real Madrid.
Jamal Musiala
Club: Bayern Munich
Germany's most gifted young player with exceptional dribbling in tight spaces. Musiala's ability to glide past opponents makes him one of the most exciting players at the tournament.
Phil Foden
Club: Manchester City
England's most technically gifted player, capable of playing across the front line. Foden's close control, creativity, and eye for goal add a different dimension to England's attack.
Bukayo Saka
Club: Arsenal
Arsenal's versatile star who has become one of the Premier League's best players. Saka's directness, crossing ability, and composure make him essential for England.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Club: Paris Saint-Germain
One of the most exciting wingers in world football. While Georgia may not have qualified, Kvaratskhelia's dribbling and flair captured the world's attention at Euro 2024.
Players by Position
| Position | Count | Key Players |
|---|---|---|
| Forward | 20 | Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, Vinicius Junior |
| Midfielder | 11 | Jude Bellingham, Florian Wirtz, Pedri, Rodri |
| Defender | 3 | Alphonso Davies, Achraf Hakimi, Virgil van Dijk |
| Goalkeeper | 2 | Emiliano Martinez, Gianluigi Donnarumma |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the star players to watch at the 2026 World Cup?▼
Key players include Kylian Mbappe (France, Real Madrid, age 27), Lionel Messi (Argentina, Inter Miami, age 38), Erling Haaland (Norway, Manchester City, age 25), Vinicius Junior (Brazil, Real Madrid, age 25), Lamine Yamal (Spain, Barcelona, age 18), and Jude Bellingham (England, Real Madrid, age 22).
Will Lionel Messi play in the 2026 World Cup?▼
Lionel Messi, age 38, is expected to participate in the 2026 World Cup with Argentina, which would be his final World Cup. As the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and 2022 World Cup champion, his participation would cap the greatest career in football history.
Is the 2026 World Cup Erling Haaland's first?▼
Yes, the 2026 World Cup will be Erling Haaland's first. Norway has not appeared at a World Cup since 1998 (28 years). Haaland, age 25, plays for Manchester City and has scored 55 international goals in 48 games.
Will Cristiano Ronaldo play in the 2026 World Cup?▼
Cristiano Ronaldo, age 41, is named as a key player for Portugal. If he plays, it would be his sixth World Cup. He remains the all-time top international goalscorer and seeks to finally win the trophy.
Who is the youngest player at the 2026 World Cup?▼
Lamine Yamal of Spain is one of the youngest prominent players at 18 years old. The two-time Kopa Trophy winner dominated Euro 2024 as a teenager and plays for FC Barcelona.