The World Cup offers the perfect stage for established greats and rising stars alike to show what they can do, and this summer’s tournament will not be short of either category.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Luka Modric will be eager to go out with a bang before making way for the next generation, for which the likes of Lamine Yamal, Joao Neves and Desire Doue are leading the charge. Here, we take a look at 10 players to watch at the 2026 World Cup.
Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland (Norway)
Haaland is already a bona fide global superstar but this will be the Manchester City goal machine’s first experience of World Cup football. In qualifying, Haaland netted 16 times in just eight matches as Norway returned to the finals for the first time since 1998 and now the prolific 25-year-old will look to conquer North America as well.
Lamine Yamal
Lamine Yamal (Spain)
Spain fans, neutrals and lovers of the beautiful game will be praying Yamal fully recovers from his hamstring injury in time to make an impact at the finals. The wing wizard is still only 18 but was a star of Spain’s Euro 2024-winning side and has already won three LaLiga titles with Barcelona.
Rayan
Rayan (Brazil)
Rayan , like fellow 19-year-old Endrick , looks to be another ace off Brazil’s conveyor belt of attacking talent and the £25million Bournemouth paid Vasco da Gama for him in January is already looking like a bargain. Arsenal are reportedly among the clubs monitoring the teen, who has five goals in 15 Premier League appearances this season.
Lennart Karl
Lennart Karl (Germany)
Karl was still learning his trade with Bayern Munich’s under-17 team barely a year ago but has seen his career sky rocket during a breakthrough season. The 18-year-old forward, who has an image of idol Lionel Messi on his shinpad, scored nine goals in 39 appearances to help Bayern win a domestic treble and earn himself a place in Julian Nagelsmann’s World Cup squad.
Michael Olise
Michael Olise (France)
Olise is another forward who has thrived at Vincent Kompany’s Bayern and the London -born 24-year-old is likely to play a key role as France chase a third successive World Cup final appearance . The former Crystal Palace winger was part of a formidable triumvirate alongside Harry Kane and Luis Diaz at Bayern that collectively scored over 100 goals this season.
Outright Odds
2026 World Cup Outright Odds
Country | Odds | Chance |
|---|---|---|
Spain | 4/1 | 15.4% |
France | 9/2 | 14.3% |
England | 6/1 | 14.3% |
Brazil | 8/1 | 13.3% |
Argentina | 8/1 | 11.1% |
Portugal | 10/1 | 9.1% |
Bar | 14/1 | 6.7% |
Odds are correct at the time of writing, but subject to change.
Spain are the 4/1 favourites for 2026 World Cup glory but France (9/2), England (6/1), Brazil and holders Argentina (8/1) will also be fancying their chances.
Federico Valverde
Federico Valverde (Uruguay)
Real Madrid may not have had any players called up by Spain but will still have plenty of representation in North America, including all-action midfielder Valverde . The Uruguay captain has become an increased goalscoring threat for Real in recent times, adding an extra string to an already formidable bow.
Viktor Gyokeres
Viktor Gyokeres (Sweden)
Sweden scraped into their first World Cup since 2018 through the play-offs after a disastrous group stage, and have much to thank Gyokeres for. The powerful Arsenal hitman scored a hat-trick in the 3-1 semi-final win over Ukraine and an 88th-minute winner in the final against Poland , and he should be a threat in North America.
Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes (Portugal)
Cristiano Ronaldo may hog the limelight in his final World Cup, but it may be Fernandes who holds the key to Portugal’s hopes. The Manchester United captain won a plethora of awards for his stunning Premier League form this season and, at the age of 31, appears to be very close to the peak of his considerable powers.
Enzo Fernandez
Enzo Fernandez (Argentina)
Fernandez is another player whose work will largely be done in the shadow of a departing superstar, but the Chelsea midfield dynamo is every bit as important as Lionel Messi to Argentina’s title defence . He was named young player of the tournament in 2022 and could well become the main man when Messi hangs up his boots.
Desire Doue
Desire Doue (France)
Doue could have to settle for a super-sub role in France’s star-studded attack , but he has the potential to light up the World Cup whenever he does feature. Fast, skilful and brimming with skill, Doue has the developed the winning habit at Paris St Germain and that can only spell bad news for France’s opponents.
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