The biggest names in football are lining up for World Cup 2026, from Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to younger stars like Lamine Yamal and Arda Guler.
We’ve picked 10 players from around the world to watch at the tournament, which begins on Thursday.
Lionel Messi will return with Argentina at the age of 38 for a joint-record sixth World Cup appearance. Four years after winning the trophy in Qatar, Messi is back as Argentina try to defend the title, although Al Jazeera notes that his involvement could be limited by age and fitness.
United States midfielder Christian Pulisic heads into the tournament as the face of American football after helping lead his country back to the World Cup on home soil. The AC Milan star will be playing in his second World Cup and remains the United States’ most important attacking player. Many expect Pulisic to carry the hopes of a nation looking to make a deep run in front of home crowds across North America.
Canada forward Jonathan David arrives at the World Cup as his country’s leading attacking threat after establishing himself among Europe’s most consistent goal scorers. The striker, who plays for Juventus FC, was instrumental in Canada’s qualification campaign and is expected to spearhead the team’s attack. With Canada competing at home alongside the United States and Mexico, David will be central to their hopes of progressing beyond the group stage.
Spain winger Lamine Yamal heads to his first World Cup at 18 after helping his country win Euro 2024. Al Jazeera describes him as “easily the best of his generation” and says he could become the youngest player to win the Golden Boot if his scoring form continues.
France forward Kylian Mbappe arrives with unfinished business after losing the 2022 final on penalties despite scoring a hat-trick. He won the Golden Boot in that tournament and is now one goal short of matching Olivier Giroud’s 57-goal record as France’s all-time leading scorer.
Norway striker Erling Haaland will make his World Cup debut after finishing as the top scorer in UEFA qualifying with 16 goals. In October, he became only the sixth footballer in history, and the first in 53 years, to reach 50 international goals in fewer than 50 caps.
Cristiano Ronaldo could be playing at his final World Cup. The Portugal forward is 41 and still chasing a first World Cup title, after struggling for minutes in Qatar in 2022 following a fallout with then-coach Fernando Santos. Al Jazeera says he is expected to get plenty of minutes under Roberto Martinez.
England captain Harry Kane comes into the tournament after winning his second Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich. Kane, who won the Golden Boot at the 2018 World Cup with six goals, could become the first man to win the award twice if he finishes as the top scorer again.
Brazil’s Vinicius Jr arrives as one of the biggest stars in the game after playing only a limited role in 2022. Al Jazeera says he will lead Brazil’s attack alongside Neymar Jr, who is described as a surprise inclusion in the squad, and notes that Vinicius was voted The Best FIFA Men’s Player for 2024.
Ghana winger Antoine Semenyo is another name on the list after joining Manchester City at the start of the year. Al Jazeera says his 10 goals helped City’s title challenge and that he could take on a bigger role for Ghana with midfielder Mohammed Kudus injured.
Turkiye winger Arda Guler will lead his country into its first World Cup in more than two decades. The Real Madrid player is set for his first major tournament with the national team.
Egypt forward Mohamed Salah rounds out the list. The 33-year-old had a muscle injury that threatened his tournament, but Al Jazeera says he will lead Egypt’s campaign in North America as he looks to win a title with his country.
