12 stars to watch at the 2026 World Cup
Twelve players who define the 2026 World Cup, from Messi's final tournament to 18-year-old Lamine Yamal.
The 2026 World Cup means two farewells, two arrivals at the top level, and a handful of players whose career peak lands exactly on the tournament. Twelve names worth following on their own.
Lionel Messi (Argentina, Inter Miami)
38 years old, reigning world champion, unambiguously the last World Cup. Messi did not retire from Argentina after Qatar — he played the 2024 Copa América, remains captain. Argentina is expected to win Group J comfortably; from Messi the expectation is a final act.
Kylian Mbappé (France, Real Madrid)
27, at Real Madrid since 2024. He won the 2018 World Cup and finished as Golden Boot in 2022. In Group I with Norway this is his tournament — peak physical form, undisputed lead role, weight of responsibility after Griezmann's exit.
Erling Haaland (Norway, Manchester City)
Norway's first World Cup since 1998. Haaland scored 16 goals in 8 qualifying matches. 26 years old, prime years. Group I — France, Senegal, Iraq — leaves a real path through; Haaland alone can decide any game at this tournament.
Lamine Yamal (Spain, Barcelona)
18 years old, European champion 2024. The main winger of the reigning European champions and a Ballon d'Or contender on the season. Spain in Group H with Uruguay should advance; Yamal is the face of the new Spain.
Vinícius Júnior (Brazil, Real Madrid)
26, the central figure of Brazil's attack after Neymar. Brazil went out to Croatia in the quarter-final at Qatar 2022, and Vinícius is the main candidate to prevent a similar collapse. Group C with Morocco and Scotland.
Jude Bellingham (England, Real Madrid)
23, the main playmaker for England. England in Group L, with Croatia and Ghana, faces no serious test before the knockouts. Bellingham plays the same role for club and country, and a second consecutive lead-tournament is expected.
Harry Kane (England, Bayern)
32, England's captain and all-time top scorer. Golden Boot at the 2018 World Cup, missed a penalty against France in the 2022 quarter-final. Realistically his last shot at a trophy.
Pedri (Spain, Barcelona)
23, central midfielder for Barcelona and Spain. The injury-riddled 2022–2023 is over, and Pedri has returned to form across 2024–2025. With Yamal and Rodri, he forms Spain's spine.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Al-Nassr)
41, contracted at Al-Nassr until 2027. Unquestionably his final World Cup. At the previous tournament he came off the bench in the knockouts. Portugal is expected to win Group K; from Ronaldo, a symbolic close.
Florian Wirtz (Germany, Liverpool)
23, joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen in summer 2025 for £100m plus add-ons — potentially the most expensive British transfer ever. Germany's chief creator in Group E. The expectation is leadership of the kind Müller offered in 2014.
Alexis Mac Allister (Argentina, Liverpool)
27, central midfielder at Liverpool and for Argentina. He played every Qatar 2022 match from the group stage on; this cycle he has been one of the team's most consistent figures. He sits in the shadow of Messi and Lautaro, but Argentina does not function without him.
Lautaro Martínez (Argentina, Inter)
28, Inter captain and Argentina's first-choice striker. He was not a steady goalscorer at Qatar 2022 but scored in the 2024 Copa América final. If Messi is the symbol of the tournament, Lautaro is its finisher inside the opposition box.
Several of these twelve will not be at the 2030 World Cup. This is the tournament whose every match featuring them is worth watching live.
