Top 15 players to watch at FIFA World Cup 2026

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Soccer may be the ultimate team sport, but there often are players that jump off the screen when you watch them. Here is our list of the must-see stars competing in this summer’s FIFA World Cup.

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Lionel Messi, Argentina

Messi and Argentina will be looking to defend their World Cup title from 2022. The greatest player of his generation, Messi continues to wow while playing for Inter Miami and remains the central figure for the South American soccer powerhouse. He’s also just three goals shy of tying Miroslav Klose for most career goals scored at the World Cup. While Messi did suffer a minor injury with Inter Miami, it reportedly was nothing more than some discomfort.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal

This is CR7’s final chance to win the big one that has been so elusive over his career. This will be the sixth World Cup for the Portuguese star, who has played the past four seasons in Saudi Arabia, and he’ll be looking to extend his record as the most prolific goal-scorer in international men’s soccer.

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Ousmane Dembele, France

The reigning Ballon d’Or winner had a fairly low-key season with Paris Saint-Germain. While the French powerhouse repeated as UCL champions, Dembele missed time with hamstring and calf injuries while also being load managed by manager Luis Enrique. When he does play, Dembele remains one of the world’s best attackers and brilliant partner for the next player on our list.

Kylian Mbappe, France

While the French phenom remains spectacular on the pitch, he has become embroiled in drama during his two years at Real Madrid. He reportedly has feuded with teammates while a fan-launched “Mbappe Out” petition reportedly got more than 70 million signatures. However, Mbappe has a chance to put himself in the record books this summer already having scored an incredible 12 goals in his two World Cup tournaments.

Vinicius Junior, Brazil

The skillful Brazilian winger reportedly has been on the opposite of the feud with Mbappe at Real Madrid and is no stranger to controversy himself, with Vini often a target for racist remarks in Spain. He is best known for signing a record-breaking deal to join Real as a teenager in 2017, a move that has more than paid off for both sides of the deal.

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Harry Kane, England

After having continually fallen short during his decade at Tottenham, Kane left England for Bayern Munich and has reinforced himself as one of the sport’s best scorers. He has scored at a pace of nearly a goal per game (143 goals in 146 appearances) and helped the German giants win two straight titles while capturing three straight Golden Boot awards.

Erling Haaland, Norway

Quite simply one of the best goal-scorers in the world, the massive Viking-like figure has scored 162 total goals in 198 matches for Manchester City and won three of the past four Golden Boots in the English Premier League. His 16 goals in qualifying was best in the world and he’s one of the favourites to be this tournament’s top scorer as well.

Lamine Yamal, Spain

He’s just 18 years old but already has three La Liga titles at Barcelona. After his breakout performance at Euro 2024, the world took note of the winger’s incredible talent beyond his years. However, how much he’ll actually play at the World Cup is in doubt after suffering a hamstring injury in April. He certain to miss Spain’s opener, but further La Roja advances, the more likely Yamal is to feature.

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Jamal Musiala, Germany

Unfortunately, Musiala spent most of this past season on the sidelines after suffering a gruesome broken ankle during last summer’s Cub World Cup. The 23-year-old midfielder made just 23 appearances for Bayern Munich this season, but is considered one of the world’s best young playmakers when he’s on his game.

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Gabriel Magalhaes, Brazil

The Arsenal centre back isn’t just one of the toughest defenders in the world, he’s also a huge threat on set pieces for the Gunners. Gabriel has scored 20 goals over his six seasons with the London club and while helping anchor the newly crowned Premier League champion’s defence, which allowed just 27 goals in 38 games this season.

Arda Guler, Turkiye

With the Crescent Stars tipped as one of the best darkhorse candidates at this year’s World Cup, Guler should have a big role in making a deep run a reality. At just 21 years old, the Real Madrid attacking midfielder has become an important piece of the team’s future while also putting in solid performances in the Champions League.

Kendry Paez, Ecuador

Paez was just 16 years old when he made his senior international debut, becoming Ecuador’s youngest-ever player and second-youngest South American international player behind only the great Diego Maradona. Paez didn’t seem out of place, either, picking up an assist on the winning goal in his debut. The youngster has been out on loan to River Plate in Argentina, but should make waves for parent club Chelsea in the years to come.

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Pau Cubarsi, Spain

While defenders, especially centre backs, often take much longer to develop into stars, Cubarsi already has proven to be among the world’s best at just 19 years old. He has already made 85 appearances for Barcelona and helped it win the La Liga title for the second straight year. He should be anchoring the backline for Barca and Spain for many years to come.

Nico O’Reilly, England

Manchester City’s newest starlet is just 21 years old but has nailed down a starting spot on one of the world’s best teams. While he primarily operates as a left back, O’Reilly has shown a penchant for getting into the box and using his tall frame to win headers on the break and off set pieces. He only received his first England cap in November, but should be a key player for the Three Lions at the World Cup.

Nico Paz, Argentina

Not many young players would willingly leave Real Madrid for small Italian club like Como, but Paz did just that and the gamble has paid off. Thanks to getting consistent playing time, the son of former Argentine international Pablo Paz has become one of the brightest young stars in the world with an estimated value of more than $100 million.

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