Harry Kane
We tried. We genuinely tried to leave him out. The list was done. Ten players. Mbappé at one, Yamal at two, the arguments made and the verdicts delivered. And then we looked at the numbers again. 36 Bundesliga goals in 2025/26. 58 in all competitions. Back to back German
World Cup 2026
Brazil are Viva's pick to win World Cup 2026. Vinícius, Raphinha, Endrick. A squad built for this tournament despite three significant injuries. Twenty-four years since the last star. The wait ends here.
World Cup 2026
Kylian Mbappé is 27 years old, has scored 56 goals in two La Liga seasons, leads France into this World Cup as captain, and is the tournament favourite. There is no version of this list where he is not number one.
World Cup 2026
France are the defending World Cup champions. They have the deepest squad at the tournament. Mbappé is 27 and four goals from the all-time scoring record. They are number two on this list. The gap to number one is Brazil — and it is narrow.
World Cup 2026
Lamine Yamal is 18 years old and the most exciting player at World Cup 2026. Spain are the tournament favourites. He is the reason. A hamstring concern is the only thing standing between him and defining the entire summer.
World Cup 2026
Cristiano Ronaldo is at his sixth World Cup. No outfield player in history has appeared at more. He is 41 years old. Portugal have a squad good enough to win this tournament. The question is whether he helps or hinders — and the honest answer is both.
World Cup 2026
Spain are the reigning European champions with the youngest average squad age at this tournament. Lamine Yamal is 18 and arguably the best player in the world. A hamstring concern is the only thing keeping them from number one on this list.
World Cup 2026
Germany have not won a World Cup since 2014. Musiala is back from injury. Wirtz is at his peak. Nagelsmann has finally built a system that matches the talent available. Fourth on this list — and Viva's dark horse for the final.
World Cup 2026
Argentina are the defending World Cup champions. They have lost Foyth and potentially Romero to injury. Messi turns 39 during the tournament. They are fifth on this list — and still capable of winning the whole thing.
World Cup 2026
Lionel Messi turns 39 three days before Argentina's first group match. He is the defending World Cup champion. He is almost certainly playing his last tournament. None of that context is necessary to explain why he is here — the football does that.
World Cup 2026
Lamine Yamal is 18 years old. He is arguably the best player in the world right now, regardless of age. Spain are the tournament favourites and he is the reason. This is not hyperbole — it is the assessment of everyone watching closely enough to know.
World Cup 2026
Jamal Musiala is 22 years old and the best player Germany have had in a generation. He missed significant time through injury. He is back. Players who return from injury with a point to prove at a World Cup tend to produce the tournament's most memorable moments.