As the world eagerly anticipates the 2026 World Cup, soccer fans everywhere are already speculating about the players who will dominate the tournament. With the competition set to occur across three countries – the United States, Canada, and Mexico – it’s sure to be an exciting event with plenty of talent on display.
In this article, we’ll closely examine some of the best players likely to shine at the 2026 World Cup. From established stars to up-and-coming talents, these players have the skills, experience, and drive to make a real impact on the world stage.
Kylian Mbappe
At just 23 years old, Kylian Mbappe is already one of the most exciting players in world soccer. The Paris Saint-Germain striker burst onto the scene in 2017, helping Monaco win the Ligue 1 title before moving to PSG the following year. He’s since won three straight Ligue 1 titles with the Parisian club and played a key role in France’s 2018 World Cup victory.
Mbappe’s blistering pace, impeccable finishing, and clinical ability in front of goal make him a real threat to any defense. He’s already scored over 100 goals in his professional career and shows no signs of slowing down. If he stays fit and in form, Mbappe could be the 2026 World Cup star.
Erling Haaland
Another young striker who’s already making waves in the soccer world is Erling Haaland. The 21-year-old Norwegian burst onto the scene with RB Salzburg in 2019, scoring an incredible 29 goals in just 27 games. He’s since moved to Borussia Dortmund and continued his impressive form, scoring 37 goals in 38 games in his first full season.
Haaland’s size, speed, and strength make him a formidable opponent for any defender. He’s also a clinical finisher with a powerful left foot and excellent positioning. If he can maintain his current form over the next few years, Haaland could be one of the stars of the 2026 World Cup.
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Lionel Messi
While Mbappe and Haaland are young talents with their best years ahead, Lionel Messi is an established game legend. The 34-year-old Argentine has won just about every trophy there is to win at the club level, including ten La Liga titles and four Champions League titles with Barcelona.
Messi has also had a successful international career, winning the Copa America with Argentina in 2021. While he may have less pace than he used to, Messi’s vision, passing, and dribbling skills are still second to none. He hopes to cap off his career with a strong showing at the 2026 World Cup.
Jadon Sancho
Another young player who’s already making a name for himself is Jadon Sancho. The 21-year-old Englishman made his breakthrough with Borussia Dortmund in 2018 and has since become one of the most exciting attacking players in the game. He’s quick, skillful, and has an eye for goal, with over 50 goals and assists for Dortmund over the past three seasons.
Sancho has also established himself as a key player for the England national team, helping them reach the final of Euro 2020. If he can continue developing over the next few years, Sancho could be a real star of the 2026 World Cup.
Vinicius Junior
Vinicius Junior is another young player who’s already attracting plenty of attention. The 21-year-old Brazilian winger joined Real Madrid in 2018 and became a regular in their first team. He’s quick, skillful, and can easily beat defenders, thanks to his dribbling skills and close control. He’s also a hard worker off the ball, making him a valuable asset to any team.
Vinicius has already won two La Liga titles with Real Madrid and has shown flashes of brilliance on the international stage with Brazil. If he can continue to develop his game over the next few years, Vinicius could be a real star at the 2026 World Cup.
Christian Pulisic
As one of the host nations for the 2026 World Cup, the United States hopes to impact the tournament. One player who could be key to their success is Christian Pulisic. The 23-year-old winger has already established himself as one of the best players in the US national team and is a regular for Chelsea in the English Premier League.
Pulisic’s pace and skill on the ball make him a constant threat to defenders, while his ability to create chances for his teammates is also impressive. He’s already scored some important goals for Chelsea and hopes to do the same for the US at the 2026 World Cup.
Phil Foden
Another young English talent who’s already making waves is Phil Foden. The 21-year-old midfielder has been a key player for Manchester City in recent seasons, helping them win the Premier League title and reach the Champions League final in 2021.
Foden’s technical ability, vision, and passing range make him an ideal playmaker in midfield, while his goal-scoring prowess is also impressive. He’s already made a name for himself internationally, scoring a crucial goal for England in their Euro 2020 quarterfinal win over Ukraine. If he can continue his development over the next few years, Foden could be a star of the 2026 World Cup.
Ansu Fati
Ansu Fati is another young player who’s already attracting plenty of attention. The 19-year-old Spanish forward burst onto the scene with Barcelona in 2019, becoming the youngest player to score for the club in over 70 years.
Fati’s pace, skill, and composure in front of goal make him a real threat to any defense, while his ability to play on either wing or through the middle gives his team plenty of tactical flexibility. He’s also already made a name for himself internationally, scoring on his debut for Spain in 2020. If he can stay fit and continue his development over the next few years, Fati could be a real star of the 2026 World Cup.
Joao Felix
Joao Felix is another young player who’s already established himself as one of the best in the game. The 21-year-old Portuguese forward joined Atletico Madrid in 2019 and has become a key player for the club and country.
Felix’s close control, dribbling skills, and eye for goal make him a constant threat to defenders, while his ability to play in multiple positions across the front line gives his team plenty of options. He’s already won the La Liga title with Atletico and hopes to add a World Cup trophy to his collection in 2026.
Alphonso Davies
Finally, we come to Alphonso Davies. The 21-year-old Canadian left-back has been a revelation since joining Bayern Munich in 2018, helping them win multiple Bundesliga titles and the Champions League in 2020.
Davies’ speed, athleticism, and defensive skills make him a top-class left-back, while his ability to get forward and contribute to the attack is also impressive. He’s already established himself as one of the best in the world in his position and will be a key player for Canada at the 2026 World Cup.
Davies can also play as a left winger or left midfielder, giving his team plenty of tactical flexibility. He’s already won several individual awards, including the Bundesliga Rookie of the Season in 2019, and could be in line for even more accolades over the next few years.
FAQ’s
Q: When is the 2026 World Cup taking place?
A: The 2026 World Cup is scheduled from June 8 to July 8, 2026.
Q: Which countries are hosting the 2026 World Cup?
A: The 2026 World Cup is jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Q: Who are some of the best players expected to participate in the 2026 World Cup?
A: There are several top players expected to participate in the 2026 World Cup, including Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, Mohamed Salah, and Erling Haaland, among others.
Q: What makes these players stand out as potential dominant forces in the tournament?
A: These players have all established themselves as some of the best in the world and have consistently performed at the highest levels for their respective clubs and national teams. They possess a combination of technical ability, athleticism, and tactical awareness, making them stand out from their peers.
Q: Are there any young players who could make a big impact at the 2026 World Cup?
A: Several young players could make a big impact at the 2026 World Cup, including players like Alphonso Davies, Jadon Sancho, and Joao Felix, among others. These players have already shown immense potential and could be poised to break out on the world stage in the coming years.
Q: Which teams are expected to be the strongest at the 2026 World Cup?
A: It’s difficult to predict which teams will be the strongest at the 2026 World Cup, as a lot can change in the lead-up to the tournament. However, traditional football powerhouses like Brazil, Germany, Spain, and Argentina are always strong contenders, as are emerging football nations like Belgium, England, and France.
Q: How important is the World Cup for a player’s legacy?
A: The World Cup is often seen as the pinnacle of international football, and performing well in the tournament can greatly impact a player’s legacy. Many of the greatest players in football history have had their defining moments at the World Cup, and a strong performance in the tournament can cement a player’s place in football history.
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