The stage is set. The players are ready. The hosts are prepared. The fans are eagerly waiting. All that remains is for the action to begin on the pitch as the world’s finest footballers take centre stage.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off on June 11.
Two of football’s greatest icons, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, are likely to be playing in their final World Cup. Alongside them are emerging stars such as Erling Haaland and Lamine Yamal, as well as established superstar Kylian Mbappé, who has already lifted the World Cup at a young age.
Football fans around the world are eagerly anticipating the performances of these stars. The 39-day tournament, jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, will feature 1,248 players representing 48 nations. While some players have already experienced World Cup glory, many are making their debut on football’s biggest stage.
Here are seven players whose performances could define the tournament.
Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Messi enters this World Cup without the pressure he faced four years ago. By leading Argentina to victory at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he fulfilled the one major dream that had eluded him throughout his career.
Now 38, Messi has won every major trophy available at both club and international level. He is set to make a record sixth World Cup appearance. Having already played a record 26 World Cup matches, he is also closing in on another milestone.
Messi has scored 13 World Cup goals, just three behind Germany’s Miroslav Klose, who holds the tournament record with 16. Three more goals would see Messi equal the record, while four would make him the outright leader.
Argentina will also be aiming to defend their title. No nation has won consecutive World Cups since Brazil achieved the feat in 1962.
With a younger squad around him and recent concerns over injuries, it remains to be seen whether coach Lionel Scaloni uses Messi as a regular starter or manages his minutes carefully throughout the tournament.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Ronaldo’s situation is quite different. The 2026 World Cup could be the “last dance” of one of football’s greatest-ever players.
Like Messi, Ronaldo is preparing for a record sixth World Cup appearance. At 41, he continues to maintain remarkable fitness and remains a key figure for Portugal.
Unlike Messi, however, Ronaldo has yet to win the World Cup. It is the one major trophy missing from his illustrious career.
Having scored eight goals in 22 World Cup matches, Ronaldo will be focused less on individual accolades and more on helping Portugal claim its first World Cup title. Portugal’s squad combines experienced stars and talented young players, offering hope for a deep run in the tournament.
Under coach Roberto Martínez, Portugal has shown strong form, and Ronaldo will be determined to make this World Cup memorable.
The all-time leading scorer in men’s international football, Ronaldo has scored 143 goals in 226 appearances and is also closing in on the remarkable milestone of 1,000 career goals.
Kylian Mbappé (France)
France captain Mbappé is one of the leading faces of the post-Messi and post-Ronaldo era.
The 27-year-old forward won the World Cup in 2018 at the age of 19 and played a crucial role in guiding France to the 2022 final.
Widely regarded as one of the world’s best players, the Real Madrid star has already collected numerous team and individual honours. However, he is still chasing both the UEFA Champions League title and the prestigious Ballon d’Or.
At the 2022 World Cup, Mbappé won the Golden Boot after scoring eight goals, including a hat-trick in the dramatic final against Argentina. He will once again be among the favourites to finish as the tournament’s top scorer.
Lamine Yamal (Spain)
Yamal has only recently turned 18, yet he is already regarded as one of the brightest talents in world football.
This will be his first World Cup, but the young winger has already established himself at both club and international level. He played a key role in helping Spain win UEFA Euro 2024 and became one of the youngest stars ever to shine on the international stage.
Having already achieved significant success with FC Barcelona, Yamal now has the opportunity to showcase his talent at the World Cup.
His style of play and early achievements have drawn comparisons with Messi, and football analysts believe he could emerge as one of the breakout stars of the tournament.
Erling Haaland (Norway)
Few strikers in world football are as lethal as Haaland.
After a 28-year absence, Norway is returning to the World Cup, and Haaland’s dream of playing on football’s biggest stage is finally becoming a reality.
The 25-year-old goal machine has shattered scoring records throughout his career. His performances were instrumental in Norway’s qualification campaign, during which he scored 16 goals in European qualifying.
The Manchester City striker will be making his World Cup debut, and fans will be eager to see whether he can replicate his prolific club form on the international stage.
While Norway is not considered a title favourite, it could emerge as a dark horse, with Haaland expected to be central to any success the team enjoys.
Harry Kane (England)
England captain Harry Kane remains his country’s all-time leading goalscorer and one of the most complete forwards in modern football.
Kane won the Golden Boot at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and enters this tournament in excellent form after helping FC Bayern Munich win the Bundesliga title.
As one of the leading contenders for the Golden Boot once again, Kane has the opportunity to make history. If he finishes as the tournament’s top scorer, he would become the first player to win the World Cup Golden Boot twice.
For England, one of the tournament favourites, Kane’s goals could prove decisive.
Neymar (Brazil)
Interest in Neymar has grown once again after he was included in Brazil’s World Cup squad.
Brazil’s all-time leading international scorer has endured several injury-plagued seasons but showed glimpses of his best form after returning to his former club, Santos FC.
Now 34, Neymar is preparing for his fourth World Cup appearance. Despite his immense talent, he has never won the tournament and will be hoping to change that this year.
New Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has placed his trust in Neymar’s experience as Brazil pursues a record-extending sixth World Cup title.
Having carried much of Brazil’s attacking responsibility throughout his career, this could also be Neymar’s final appearance at the World Cup, making his journey one of the tournament’s most compelling storylines.
