The 2026 FIFA World Cup will ultimately come to life because of its constellation of stars, and this summer’s tournament will be full of them.
From living legends like Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo to goal machines Kylian Mbappé of France and Erling Haaland of Norway — these are the names who’ll take center stage starting in June.
Here’s one player from each of the 48 World Cup squads worth keeping a close eye on.
JUMP TO:
Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D | Group E | Group F | Group G | Group H | Group I | Group J | Group K | Group L
(Photo by Daniel Bartel/Getty Images)
Age: 34
National team appearances: 123
Club: Fulham (England)
Jiménez is part of Mexico’s veteran core. He scored nine of El Tri’s 22 goals in 2025, including a brace in both the Nations League semifinal and final. Jimenez also netted the winning goal in the Gold Cup semifinal and added another in the win over the U.S. in the tournament final. Jimenez, who has already played in three World Cups, has also scored nine goals for Fulham across all competitions this season and is in ideal form entering an important summer with a World Cup on home soil.
Notable stat: Jiménez has scored 44 goals for Mexico, which is three shy of moving into second all time and nine shy of breaking the record held by Javier “Chicharito” Hernández. Jimenez’s European club career includes stops at Atlético Madrid, Benfica, Wolverhampton and Fulham.
(Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Age: 33
National team appearances: 142
Club: LAFC (United States)
Known as “Sonny,” South Korea’s undisputed star and captain will be a fan favorite. Son is South Korea’s most-capped player and is close to becoming the program’s all-time leading goal-scorer — perhaps he’ll break that record over the summer. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he led the Taegeuk Warriors to a dramatic group-stage win over Portugal, but they fell in the Round of 16 when they lost to Brazil. The winger is in good form for LAFC and leads MLS this season in assists.
Notable stat: Before his move to LAFC in 2024, Son spent 10 seasons at Tottenham, where he scored 173 goals in 454 appearances.
(Photo by Michal Cizek / AFP via Getty Images)
Age: 25
National team appearances: 58
Club: Bayern Munich (Germany)
Davies will wear the armband for the co-hosts this summer and is looking to bounce back after what’s been an injury-marred season for his club. The Bayern Munich standout, UEFA Champions League winner and former FIFA Best XI selection scored the first World Cup goal in Canada’s history in 2022 at Qatar. His main attribute is his versatility. He often plays left back for Bayern but takes a more attacking position for Canada. In Bayern’s Bundesliga-clinching win on April 19, he scored his first goal of the season.
Notable stat: Davies has made more than 240 appearances for Bayern Munich since joining the team in 2018.
(Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)
Age: 29
National team appearances: 125
Club: Al-Duhail (Qatar)
Though he’s not yet even 30, Ali has already made well more than 100 appearances for Qatar and is the Maroons’ all-time top scorer with 60 international goals. The Sudan-born striker was also part of the 2022 World Cup squad for Qatar, which hosted the tournament.
Notable stat: Ali led Qatar to two AFC Cup titles and was the top scorer in the 2019 edition.
(Photo by EyesWideOpen/Getty Images)
Age: 29
National team appearances: 37
Club: Barcelona (Spain)
On a star-studded roster, who do you pick? Let’s lean on Raphinha. While Real Madrid winger Vinícius Júnior gets most of the plaudits, the Barcelona attacking midfielder has arguably been the better player over the last year, despite some hamstring injuries. Raphinha was the lone Brazilian to earn a Ballon d’Or nomination in 2025, and his ability to also play on the wings will keep opponents on their toes this summer.
Notable stat: Raphinha has made more than 170 appearances for Barcelona since joining the club in 2022 from Leeds United, totaling more than 130 goal contributions.
(Photo by Franco Arland/Getty Images)
Age: 38
National team appearances: 79
Club: Bastia (France)
Placide could be very busy this summer. The 38-year-old French-born goalkeeper has been Haiti’s captain for the last 15 years and will backstop the team’s effort this summer in a group that includes five-time champion Brazil and 2022 semifinalist Morocco.
Notable stat: Placide has been a part of Haiti’s two bronze-medal finishes at the Caribbean Cup, coming in 2012 and 2014.
(Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Age: 27
National team appearances: 64
Club: Juventus (Italy)
Has McKennie now surpassed AC Milan’s Christian Pulisic — who struggled mightily in early 2026 — as the Americans’ most influential player? The all-action Juventus midfielder is having a career season (four goals during Champions League competition) in which he’s been the best player for Italy’s most successful club. It was promising that he scored for the USA in the March friendly against Belgium, despite the 5-2 loss in Atlanta. Now a veteran presence for the Stars and Stripes, McKennie can further solidify his stardom on home soil this summer.
Notable stat: McKennie has made more than 220 appearances for Juventus since joining the club in 2020, with more than 50 goal contributions in that span. His 64 caps are third-most among active players behind Pulisic’s 84 and Tim Ream’s 80.
(Photo by Franco Arland/Getty Images)
Age: 23
National team appearances: 25
Club: Feyenoord (Netherlands)
The 23-year-old Feyenoord left back is a quicking turning heads in European club soccer. Bos has experience scoring against the USA, and he could do so again when the Socceroos take on the co-hosting team in Seattle in group-stage play. Last October, he had the Aussies’ lone goal in a 2-1 loss to the U.S. in an exhibition match in Denver. He scored in his next two appearances, too, including a game-winner over Cameroon in March.
Notable stat: Bos made 46 appearances in two seasons for Westerlo (Belgian Pro League) before making his move to the Dutch Eredivisie.
(Photo by Hakan Akgun/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Age: 22
National team appearances: 39
Club: Liverpool (England)
Wirtz may be struggling this season with Liverpool, but he’ll give Germany a shot at making a deep run at the World Cup. The 22-year-old midfielder helped Bayer Leverkusen go undefeated en route to winning the German title two seasons ago before being named Bundesliga Player of the Year in 2025. He then moved to Liverpool later that year on a blockbuster $156 million transfer deal but continues to adjust to life in the Premier League. In March, Wirtz scored his 10th goal in just 39 games for his country.
Notable stat: Before moving to Liverpool this season, Wirtz scored 57 goals and 65 assists in 197 appearances for Bayer Leverkusen from 2019 to 2025.
(Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)
Age: 29
National team appearances: 102
Club: Al-Ahli (Saudi Arabia)
Kessié is not just Ivory Coast’s heart-and-soul central midfielder, but he is also the Elephants’ captain. Now playing his club ball in Saudi Arabia, the 29-year-old’s resume includes stints with European juggernauts Barcelona and AC Milan. A good showing this summer at the World Cup could land him a return to a European club.
Notable stat: During his time at AC Milan and Barcelona, Kessie totaled 266 appearances, scoring 40 goals and 19 assists.
(Photo by Stefan Koops/EYE4IMAGES/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Age: 34
National team appearances: 90
Club: Liverpool (England)
Van Dijk is the best center back in the world. The main thing about the 6-foot-5 stalwart defender is his leadership. He captains both his Liverpool club and his country, and his energy and tone trickle down to his teammates. He’s literally and figuratively the quarterback of his back line. He’s composed on the ball, rarely makes mistakes, wins one-on-one battles and is a bully in the air. He’ll turn 35 during the World Cup, but his age doesn’t matter — van Dijk is a reason why the Oranje are automatically contenders against any opponent.
Notable stat: One of the most decorated Dutch players of all time, van Dijk is a former English Premier League Player of the Season and five-time Team of the Season selection.
(Photo by Hiroki Watanabe/Getty Images)
Age: 27
National team appearances: 32
Club: Arsenal (England)
Sweden will have two elite strikers in Liverpool’s Alexander Isak and Arsenal’s Gyökeres, but the latter has been a bit more prolific this season. The Arsenal star scored four goals in Sweden’s two playoff games against Ukraine and Poland. Isak is working his way back from surgery on a fibula fracture last December, which means Gyökeres is the most in form at the moment to lead the Swedish attack this summer.
Notable stat: Before moving to Arsenal this season, Gyökeres scored 97 goals and 28 assists in 102 appearances for Sporting Lisbon.
(Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Age: 23
National team appearances: 41
Club: Manchester City (England)
Napoli midfielder Kevin De Bruyne? Real Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois? We’re going with standout winger Jérémy Doku. Belgium boasts elite players up and down its lineup, including veteran defender Thomas Meunier and captain Youri Tielemans, but the 23-year-old Manchester City dangerman — a key threat — is its undisputed game-breaker. He scored against the USA in the March friendly, and the Red Devils will go as far as he takes them.
Notable stat: Since signing with Manchester City in 2023, Doku has made more than 120 appearances for the team, with 20 coming in the Champions League.
(Photo by ANP via Getty Images)
Age: 33
National team appearances: 103
Club: Olimpiacos (Greece)
Taremi stands out for Team Melli. The talented striker is Iran’s captain and best player, having played across several prominent European teams. A key factor for Greek power Olimpiacos, Taremi was a UEFA Champions League runner-up with Inter Milan last season.
Notable stat: In 225 combined appearances with Porto and Inter Milan, Taremi scored 94 goals and added 65 assists.
(Photo by Steve Christo – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
Age: 18
National team appearances: 25
Club: Barcelona (Spain)
World Cup fans will be relieved that Yamal is expected to be in action this summer for Spain, despite a hamstring injury that will keep him out of Barcelona’s final stretch. This will be the 18-year-old’s first World Cup, and he will be an absolute delight for fans. He’s creative and unafraid on the ball and is a force in the attack, when healthy, be it for Spain or his club Barcelona. While this will be his debut on the global stage, Yamal has already won a Euros medal, and his unique talent already has soccer fans wondering if he’s the best player in the world already or if it’s only a matter of time.
Notable stat: He is the most expensive player in the world at $235.5 million, according to Transfermarkt. At age 17, he became the first player ever to score or assist in the quarterfinals, semifinals and final of a single European Championship during the 2024 edition.
(Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)
Age: 34
National team appearances: 107
Club: Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
Al-Dawsari is one of the best players in Saudi football history and has made more than 100 appearances for his country. The 34-year-old midfielder plays for Al-Hilal and captains his national team. He scored a stunning goal in the win over Argentina at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. With a team like Spain looming in the group stage, perhaps he’ll have more heroics up his sleeve this summer.
Notable stat: Al-Dawsari is a two-time Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Player of the Year winner (2022, 2025) who has scored more than 140 goals for Al-Hilal while leading the team to six Saudi Pro League titles.
(Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Age: 27
National team appearances: 96
Club: Real Madrid (Spain)
Mbappé was the leading scorer at the last World Cup with eight goals — including a hat trick in the final — and he’s arguably still the world’s best player when at the height of his powers. Since 2022, he has made the move from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid, where he continues to shine. Already a World Cup winner from the 2018 tournament, a second one would further solidify his case of being among the best of all time.
Notable stat: Mbappé is just one of two players ever to record a hat trick in a World Cup final, joining England’s Geoff Hurst. He is also five goals away from breaking the all-time record of 16 set by Germany’s Miroslav Klose.
(Photo by Torbjorn Tande/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
Age: 24
National team appearances: 17
Club: Luton Town (England)
Al-Hamadi has carved out a respectable club career in England, where he moved with his family as a child. His opening goal against Bolivia in March’s intercontinental playoff led to Iraq clinching its first World Cup appearance since 1986.
Notable stat: Al-Hamadi made 11 appearances in the English Premier League for Ipswich Town in the 2024-25 season.
(Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Age: 38
National team appearances: 198
Club: Inter Miami (United States)
The 2026 World Cup is also known as Messi’s Last Dance. He led Argentina to a thrilling victory over France to win the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and has helped La Abiceleste win the last two Copa América crowns. Messi will turn 39 during the World Cup, but his place and status on the team is as strong as ever. Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has said Messi can and will be part of the national team for as long as he wants. Now playing at Inter Miami in MLS, winning a World Cup on American soil could be a fitting end to a legendary career.
Notable stat: No player has won the Ballon d’Or more times than Messi with eight, and he also holds the record for most matches played in World Cup history, along with being tied for the fourth-most goals ever with 13.
(Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Age: 32
National team appearances: 97
Club: Borussia Dortmund (Germany)
Sabitzer scored the winning goal to beat the Netherlands in the group stage of the 2024 Euros. The 32-year-old midfielder has made 95 appearances for his national team and has scored 23 goals, and he’s an integral piece of this squad.
Notable stat: Sabitzer has been playing top flight European football since 2014, making more than 330 appearances for clubs like RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund.
(Photo by Ameen Ahmed/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Age: 41
National team appearances: 226
Club: Al-Nassr (Saudi Arabia)
Just like Messi, this is expected to be Ronaldo’s last World Cup. But unlike Messi, Ronaldo has yet to lift the sport’s most prestigious trophy. It’s truly the only accolade that’s eluded him in his career, and there’s nothing the 41-year-old forward wants more. Now, Ronaldo isn’t the most important player for Portugal anymore, but he’s still captain and the face of the team. He would give anything to ride off into the retirement sunset on top of the football world.
Notable stat: On pace to be the first player to officially eclipse 1,000 career goals scored, Ronaldo is the only player in World Cup history to have scored in five different editions of the tournament.
(Photo by Luis Cano/Jam Media/Getty Images)
Age: 22
National team appearances: 25
Club: Manchester City (England)
Football fans should be somewhat familiar with this City center back. The 22-year-old defender has had a quick rise from playing youth soccer in Uzbekistan to now thriving as the first player from his country to feature regularly in the Premier League. He was a standout defender in the Carabao Cup final win against Arsenal.
Notable stat: Khusanov has made more than 40 appearances for Manchester City this season, including six in the Champions League.
(Photo by Chris Arjoon/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Age: 32
National team appearances: 112
Club: Bayern Munich (Germany)
England is going to need Kane to score some goals this summer. The 32-year-old star striker is the Three Lions’ all-time record holder with 78 goals in 112 appearances, and he has 52 this season for his club Bayern Munich. However, this was an area where Kane struggled four years ago in Qatar, only scoring two goals at the 2022 World Cup. Kane will be motivated to do everything to finally bring an international title home.
Notable stat: Kane is the English Premier League’s second all-time leading scorer with 213 goals to his name.
(Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
Age: 26
National team appearances: 34
Club: Manchester City (England)
Semenyo has been a revelation for Manchester City this season (11 goal contributions in 19 appearances), and that bodes well for the Black Stars. And with Tottenham forward Mohammed Kudos still recovering from a hamstring injury sustained in January, there’s further responsibility on Semenyo’s shoulders this summer.
Notable stat: The 26-year-old scored 32 goals and 13 assists in 110 appearances for Bournemouth before being acquired by Manchester City in January of this year.
(Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images)
