10 Players to Watch at the World Cup 2026
Football descends on the USA, Canada and Mexico in 2026 for the biggest World Cup in history – but who are the top World Cup players to watch out for?
From Bukayo Saka to Vinicius Junior, there’s a lot of talent on show, with a record 48 nations competing. Established players are expected to thrive at the tournament, while there are always fresh names that catch the eye.
The World Cup is where history is made and legends are born. Italia ‘90 had Toto Schillaci, France ‘98 had Ronaldo, South Africa 2010 was all about Xavi and Andres Iniesta, and in 2022 Lionel Messi stole the show.
So, who are the World Cup players worth following in 2026 – and which ones could light up the football odds?
Below are 10 players we think will blow fans away, from Ballon d’Or winners to the next big superstars.
10. Cristiano Ronaldo - Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo has won it all in football – apart from the World Cup. The Portugal international will be 41 when the World Cup gets underway but is expected to represent his country on the world stage one last time.
We thought 2022 would be Ronaldo’s last World Cup. This surely is.
Ronaldo is seeking 1,000 career goals. He’s scored eight goals in 22 World Cup appearances. Were Portugal to reach the final in America this summer, Ronaldo’s average would mean he’d scored three in 2026.
That wouldn’t threaten the World Cup Golden Boot odds but Ronaldo is still worth watching. He can still deliver world-class moments of brilliance on the pitch – and Portugal will need that if they’re to lift their first ever World Cup.
9. Desire Doue - France
Desire Doue will still only be 21 at the next World Cup but he could steal the show for France. The youngster is thriving at Paris SG and was a standout member of the France Olympic team that won silver in 2024.
Doue is an exciting talent. He's lighting-fast with the ball at his feet, can pick a pass with ease, and knows where the goal is. He could form part of a frightening French attack at the World Cup, with Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, and Michael Olise also vying for gametime.
Despite his young age, Doue has already proven himself in a Champions League final and seems to have the world at his feet. He's a great outside bet to win the Ballon d'Or in 2026, should he lead France to victory.
8. Erling Haaland - Norway
Norway look set to secure their place in a World Cup for the first time since 1998, with Erling Haaland leading the line. Arguably one of the world's most all-round footballers, Haaland has won plenty in the domestic game but not at international level.
This is his first international tournament (outside of the Nations League) and his odds to win the Golden Boot are slim. The only thing holding Haaland back is whether Norway can get through the group stage and into the knockouts, where he'll have more chances to score.
Norway also have Martin Ødegaard, Sander Berge, Alexander Sørloth, Kristoffer Ajer and Ørjan Nyland in the squad. They're a strong unit – but Haaland is the main man.
Don't be surprised if he goes 20 minutes without doing anything of note, only to then pop up with a goal.
7. Bukayo Saka - England
Twice winner of England Men’s Player of the Year, the key man in Arsenal's attack, and liked by pretty much everyone in the Three Lions camp – Bukayo Saka is England's stand-out player.
Yes, they have the lethal Harry Kane, untouchable Jude Bellingham, and mesmeric Trent Alexander-Arnold. But Saka brings a sparkle to Thomas Tuchel's set-up.
With pace aplenty and an uncanny ability to avoid opposition defenders, Saka is the first name on the team sheet. The ball sticks to him and so many of England's attacks go through his position.
He may not score the most goals at the 2026 World Cup but England need him if they're going to even reach the semi-finals. Look out for BetMGM promos around England and Saka during the World Cup, with odds boosts and bet builders likely!
6. Lionel Messi - Argentina
Surely, surely this is Lionel Messi's lash hurrah. Like Ronaldo, we expected the 2022 World Cup to be Messi's last. But he's playing happily at Inter Miami and will turn 39 midway through the World Cup.
Argentina defend their world crown in America, Canada and Mexico – and Messi is expected to play a big part. He is the national captain and orchestrates Argentina on the pitch, before often showing how it's done too.
Messi is a contender to win the Golden Boot but he's more likely to earn the Player of the Tournament gong, as he did in 2022. For that, he'd need to guide Argentina to another final.
What are the odds of one last Messi vs Ronaldo showdown in the final at MetLife Stadium on 19 July? You'll have to wait and see!
5. Christian Pulisic - USA
Christian Pulisic has been the USMNT's golden boy for a decade and boasts over 30 goals for his country. However, his only "big" moment at a World Cup was scoring the winner against Iran in 2022.
Pulisic is sometimes viewed as carrying the US team on his back – but with Mauricio Pochettino in charge of the squad, there's an expectation that the load will be shared.
Saying that, there's no doubting Pulisic's quality and if the USA are to make an impact in this tournament, it will likely be through him. Malik Tillman, Diego Luna and Patrick Agyemang are also worth watching this summer, but Pulisic will hold most of the limelight.
4. Vinicius Junior - Brazil
Vinicius Junior wasn't happy to lose out on the 2024 Ballon d'Or award but will almost certainly win it in 2026 if he delivers World Cup glory for Brazil. The Real Madrid forward is a generational talent in a country that regularly produces elite-level footballers.
The fact Vinicius has a poor goalscoring record for Brazil – less than one in four - isn't a concern. He and teammate Raphinha are the ones to watch in the Seleção this summer.
Vinicius' watchability comes from his raw talent and ability to pull big moments out of thin air. When he has the ball, fans sit up on their seats. Should he deliver the World Cup for Brazil, he'll be lauded in the same regard as Ronaldo, Pele and Garrincha.
3. Florian Wirtz - Germany
Liverpool's new superstar Florian Wirtz has a lot of pressure on his shoulders in America, Canada and Mexico. Why? Because Germany have crashed out at the group stage in each of the last two World Cups – a sorry response to winning the trophy in 2014.
Wirtz is part of a new generation seeking to stop the rot. He's a hugely exciting player to watch and is deadly in front of goal. Germany are also steadily growing in confidence again and are a strong bet to win the whole thing in 2026.
Wirtz is unlikely to win the Golden Boot but his assists could be what catapult Germany into the latter stages. And, with Serge Gnabry, Karim Adeyemi or Leroy Sané on the other flank, Germany are starting to look like the real deal once again.
2. Omar Marmoush - Egypt
Premier League betting fans may not have heard much about Omar Marmoush before he joined Manchester City in January 2025. He was billed as the "next Mohamed Salah" but, at 27 come the next World Cup, he's hardly an exciting young prospect.
Instead, Marmoush is an exciting current star at the top of his game – and he could take the world by storm. The ex-Wolfsburg and Frankfurt attacker usually plays off the left for Egypt and will likely do so again at the World Cup.
The elder statesman Salah will attract plenty of attention in the USA, Canada and Mexico – but don't be surprised if it's Marmoush who catapults Egypt into the latter stages of the tournament.
1. Lamine Yamal - Spain
World football's next great superstar has already won the European Championship with Spain and La Liga with Barcelona. Lamine Yamal will turn 19 just a week before the World Cup final. Spain are one of the favourites to make that game at the MetLife Stadium.
Yamal has it all. Pace, intelligence, and feet so fast it bamboozles opposition defenders. He can draw a foul when needed, hold up play, switch the tempo, and pop up with glorious goals.
Yamal won the Kopa Trophy in 2024 and would be a shoo-in for the Ballon d'Or if he catapults Spain to World Cup glory in 2026. Keep an eye on Yamal's odds at BetMGM UK, he might not win the Golden Boot but he could easily be named Player of the Tournament and is top of our list of the World Cup players to watch.
