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
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
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.
World Cup 2026
Vinícius Júnior is the most dangerous attacker in world football when everything clicks. Brazil have lost three key players to injury. The pressure on him is enormous. He has been here before.
World Cup 2026
João Neves is 21 years old and has already won back-to-back Champions League titles with PSG. He is Portugal's most important midfielder. The list of things he hasn't won is getting shorter. A World Cup is next on it.
World Cup 2026
Jude Bellingham is 22 years old and the most important player England have had since the 1990s. Real Madrid built their system around him. England have done the same. In 2026 the weight of a nation arrives alongside the talent to handle it.
World Cup 2026
Arda Güler plays for Real Madrid and starts for Turkey at 20 years old. He has the vision of a seasoned playmaker and the nerve of someone who has never found a big stage frightening. Turkey's World Cup depends on how far his creativity can carry them.
World Cup 2026
Achraf Hakimi is the best right-back in the world. Morocco are one of the most tactically sophisticated teams at this tournament. When those two facts combine at a World Cup, things get interesting.
World Cup 2026
Endrick is 19 years old, scored eight goals and added eight assists on loan at Lyon, and helped them qualify for the Champions League. Real Madrid paid €72m for him. Brazil have been waiting for him to arrive. In 2026, he has.