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By Rowan Fisher-Shotton
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The biggest World Cup in history has finally arrived. Kicking off Thursday, June 11, across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the 2026 FIFA World Cup features a record 48 teams and 104 games spread across 16 venues.
With the new expanded format, there are more opportunities than ever before for new stars to break out.
As the entire world turns its attention to North America over the next month, these are the 10 players most likely to create the moments we'll all remember for years to come.
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More news: Portugal Has a World Cup Problem — And It Might Be Cristiano Ronaldo
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1. Lionel Messi, Argentina
The defending champions will go as Messi goes. At 38, this is almost certainly his last World Cup, and he'll be playing in a country where he now stars professionally for Inter Miami in the MLS. Argentina remains one of the favorites, and Messi is a big reason why. The possibility of one last magical run, and potentially even a long-awaited World Cup meeting with his longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo, easily makes this the tournament's biggest storyline.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal
Speaking of Ronaldo ... Like Messi, this will be his record sixth World Cup, and probably his last, having just turned 41 years old. There are question marks about how much of an impact he'll make on the tournament at his age, but Portugal has never won a World Cup, and if he truly wants to have any chance of topping Messi on the all-time list, he may need to win this one. Portugal might have the deepest squad in the tournament, and if they can finally get over the hump, Ronaldo will be at the center of it all.
More news: Argentina Raises Major Concerns Less Than 48 Hours Before 2026 World Cup
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3. Lamine Yamal, Spain
This would be a true passing of the torch moment. As Messi and Ronaldo fade out, in comes an 18-year-old phenom ready to take over. Spain enters as the biggest favorite in the tournament, and Yamal, coming off a 16-goal, 11-assist season at Barcelona, earning him LaLiga Player of the Season honors, is one of the Golden Boot favorites. This is Yamal's opportunity to officially take his place as the next face of soccer.
4. Kylian Mbappe, France
Next to Spain, France is considered the odds-on favorite to win the whole thing. They nearly did it four years ago, falling to Argentina in a dramatic penalty shoot-out. Still, Mbappe finished that tournament with eight goals and two assists, winning the Golden Boot, and is the favorite to win the Golden Boot again this time around. He's 27 years old and has scored 56 goals over the last two seasons with Real Madrid. If Les Bleus win the World Cup, it will be because of Mbappe.
More news: Spain Is the World Cup Favorite — One Question Could Change That
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5. Harry Kane, England
Is it (finally) coming home for England? The Three Lions haven't won a World Cup title since 1966, and they've lost some key contributors from years past, including Trent Alexander-Arnold, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, and Harry Maguire. But Kane is still one of the world's best strikers, and just scored 36 goals in 25 games for Bayern Munich last season. England is still one of the favorites and they will need Kane to deliver if they want to win.
6. Erling Haaland, Norway
Haaland is arguably an even better striker than Kane, minus the pressure. Norway enters as one of the World Cup dark horses, a team nobody expects to win it all, but very well could given their draw. They've landed in Group I where they'll play France, Senegal, and Iraq. The Norwegians could easily go on a deep run, and if they do, Haaland will be the one who benefits. There's a reason why he's one of the leading Golden Boot favorites. He's scored 55 goals in 50 appearances for Norway, and he's just 25 years old.
More news: Home Soil, Dream Draw, No Excuses — The 2026 World Cup Is America’s to Lose
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7. Vinicius Junior, Brazil
Brazil has more World Cup titles than any other country, and enter every tournament expecting to win. They've got some aging superstars this time around, including Neymar, Casemiro, Marquinhos, and Fabinho, leaving the door open for Junior to take over. He just scored 16 goals along with five assists at Real Madrid, and remains one of the faces of the next golden generation of soccer stars at just 25 years old. This is his chance to prove he deserves to be at the top of the list.
8. Ousmane Dembele, France
Dembele won the Ballon d'Or last season after his remarkable run with Paris Saint-Germain, where he scored 33 goals and 15 assists in 49 appearances, leading PSG to back-to-back Champions League titles. Mbappe gets much of the attention, and he should, but it's Dembele's creativity and versatility that make France so dangerous. He may not win the Golden Boot, but there's an argument to be made that he's the most talented player in the entire tournament.
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9. Yam Diomande, Ivory Coast
Every World Cup comes with a breakout star, and Diomande could be this year's candidate. Ivory Coast might not be one of the contenders, but they've got a chance to make some noise in Group E that features Germany, Ecuador, and Curacao. Diomande is just 19 years old and broke out with Bundesliga's RB Leipzig last season, scoring 12 goals and eight assists in 28 starts. Casual fans may not know his name yet, but they will in a couple of weeks from now.
10. Vitinha, Portugal
Much like Dembele for France, Vitinha is Portugal's creative midfielder and one of the best playmakers in the world. He finished third in Ballon d'Or voting last year, behind only Dembele and Yamal, and was recently named Player of the Match in PSG's Champions League Final win over Arsenal. Ronaldo may be the headline grabber, but Vitinha is the player who will dictate how far Portugal actually goes in the tournament.
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