Dembele, Guler, Mbappe, Messi, Ronaldo, Salah… the fantastic 15 set to light up the 2026 World Cup

Washington, DC — While the World Cup remains football’s ultimate stage, the 2026 tournament is set to be the largest in history.

Featuring 48 nations and 104 matches across the US, Canada and Mexico, the tournament will unite global superstars, rising talents and veterans seeking a final shot at glory.

While over 1,200 players compete, only a select few will etch their names into football history.

With immense pressure and every second counting, a single goal, save, or decisive moment can permanently transform a player’s career.

TRT World profiles 15 key players expected to make a major impact on their teams in the tournament and provide unforgettable moments for fans.

Lamine Yamal (Spain)

It is easy to forget that Yamal is only 18, given his remarkable achievements with both Barcelona and Spain.

The Barcelona forward registered 27 goal contributions in La Liga during the 2025-26 season, including 16 goals and 11 assists. Additionally, he recorded six goals and four assists in the UEFA Champions League.

He played a pivotal role in leading Spain to the UEFA Euro 2024 title, becoming the youngest player ever to appear and score in the tournament, and finishing as the competition’s top assist provider with four assists.

During the past season, he maintained an average match rating of approximately 8.0 out of 10.

Yamal has been sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained during Barcelona’s La Liga win over Celta Vigo in April, raising fears he could miss Spain’s opening group-stage fixture.

Head coach Luis de la Fuente has, however, confirmed Yamal is on track to recover for Spain’s opening World Cup match against Cape Verde next week.

Kylian Mbappe (France) 

Mbappe is widely regarded as one of the most complete football players in the world, with many observers considering him the finest globally.

He is a natural goal scorer, has immense pace, and the skills to outplay defenders in one-on-one situations. 

At the age of 19, he led France to the 2018 World Cup title. In 2022, he led his team to the final match against Argentina. 

The 27-year-old Frenchman will be looking to leave another great mark in 2026 World Cup after suffering the ultimate heartbreak in Qatar despite scoring a hat-trick in the 2022 final.

In a recent fun rapid-fire challenge with content creator Finn Agostinelli, Mbappe was asked to predict who would score more goals at the 2026 World Cup between various top players, including Lamine Yamal, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo.

He showed strong belief in Yamal‘s scoring potential, rated Messi highly, but ultimately picked Ronaldo over Messi — before naming himself as the player who will score the most goals in the tournament.

Erling Haaland (Norway)

Although the Norwegian is yet to make his World Cup debut, Haaland has proved himself to be one of the world’s best strikers at the age of 25.

Standing at 6ft 5in tall, the Norwegian striker has scored more than 160 goals for Manchester City since joining the club in 2022, breaking numerous records along the way.

With multiple Golden Boots, Premier League and Champions League titles, Haaland will be aiming to leave his mark at football’s grandest stage. 

Norway last featured at the FIFA World Cup in 1998, reaching the round of 16 — a tournament that concluded 19 days before Haaland was born.

With only days remaining until the 2026 World Cup, Haaland has clearly outlined his intentions.

Speaking recently to FIFA, Haaland said: “I have never experienced Norway being at the World Cup in my life, so I think it is about time.”

Vinicius Junior (Brazil)

Widely regarded as one of the most technically gifted players in the world, Vini Jr. or Vinicius is carrying the hopes of football-mad South American nation and will lead Brazil’s forward line at the World Cup.

Real Madrid’s unsung hero recorded 16 goals and 5 assists in past season. He also led Los Blancos to win two UEFA Champions League titles. 

As Brazil have not won the World Cup since 2002, Carlo Ancelotti’s side will rely on winger Viniciusto bring glory to the Selecao.

Vinicius has been realistic about Brazil not entering as outright favourites while expressing strong confidence in himself, his teammates, and Ancelotti’s guidance to deliver the hexa.

“I’m the one everyone talks about now because I’ve had five or six positive seasons at Real Madrid and have already spent years among the best players in the world,” he said in a recent interview.

“That naturally brings more responsibility. And that’s the responsibility I want, because I know I can do more, improve, keep evolving, and I know where I can reach because my ceiling is always very high.”

Harry Kane (England)

Harry Kane is regarded as one of the world’s elite finishers. Although he does not possess the same physical attributes as Haaland or Mbappe, he is exceptionally skilled at positioning and creating space.

The 32-year-old is England’s all-time top scorer with 78 goals in over 110 appearances. 

He is the Premier League second top scorer of all time, with 213 goals. With Bayern Munich, he scored 98 goals in just 3 seasons in the Bundesliga. 

Following England’s 1-0 friendly win over New Zealand in Tampa, he downplayed concerns over North America’s extreme heat, declaring himself fully fit and excited for the tournament.

“We’re all professional athletes. We all have done the right preparation to get ready for this tournament between us and the staff as well… so I think come the tournament, it won’t be a factor.” 

Kane is so important for England that former striker Chris Sutton believes that if Kane “announced his international retirement this afternoon, everyone would instantly view England’s World Cup chances in a different, more pessimistic light.”

Ousmane Dembele (France) 

Another Frenchman on the list, Ousmane Dembele, is a key player for Paris Saint-Germain and has already helped his team win two back-to-back Champions League titles.

The 2025 Ballon d’Or winner returned to PSG in 2023 after a rough stay at Barcelona. 

With great pace and finishing skills, Dembele joins Mbappe and Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise to form the deadliest front trio in the tournament. 

Dembele remains focused on the tournament, acknowledging the competitive landscape.

“There are many favourites, we know that [Argentina] is the reigning World Cup champions so obviously they are one of the favorites of this competition. So is [Spain], who won the Euro in 2024. [England], [Portugal], [Germany]. There are also very complicated teams like [Brazil], [Ecuador], Portugal. It’s a difficult team. There are favorites but when the matches start it’s 11 against 11, there are no more favorites. I’ll have to stay focused,” he told ESPN.

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Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Arguably the best player in the history of the game, Lionel Messi, who turns 39 this June, will lead the Argentine team in the tournament. 

Even at this age, Messi remains his country’s main man, winning everything the sport has to offer.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner will appear in his sixth World Cup and will lead his fellows to retain the title. 

Messi has been quietly preparing with the team ahead of Argentina‘s first match on June 16 when the defending champions open their tournament against Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.

He was rested in their recent friendly against Honduras on June 7 due to lingering hamstring issues from late May, and he has been doing individual training sessions. 

On Argentina’s chances of repeating as champions, Messi recently told in an interview that, “We have to get excited, like Argentines always do, but we also have to know that there are other favorites ahead of us who are in better form”, naming France, Spain, Brazil and Portugal as strong contenders.

Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

Few players have achieved what Ronaldo has. The Portuguese forward has mastered his craft, reaching the highest levels of excellence.