With the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon, now is a good time to look at some of the players who will be showcasing their talents this summer.
Without further ado, read on we assess which players to watch out for in North America, starting with those all-important goalscorers.
The goalscorers
Kylian Mbappe helped France win the 2018 World Cup and followed up by winning the Golden Boot with eight goals in Qatar four years later.
Mbappe is the betting favourite with Spreadex Sports to retain the top goalscorer prize and it would be a brave move to back against him achieving the feat.
The Frenchman has now scored 12 World Cup goals, which is just four adrift of record-holder Miroslav Klose. He will likely beat the record this summer.
England striker Harry Kane could be the main threat to Mbappe’s hopes of winning the Golden Boot. He topped the standings at Russia 2018 with six goals.
However, Kane was underwhelming at the 2024 European Championship and will need to step things up to have any chance of challenging Mbappe.
Norway striker Erling Braut Haaland will have his sights firmly set on winning the prize having scored 16 goals in eight qualifying matches.
The Scandinavians were hugely impressive during the qualification process and could be the dark horses at this summer’s tournament.
The standout players
Aside from the goalscorers, the 2026 World Cup will be lit up by players who are capable of producing magical performances for their respective teams.
They include midfielder Pedri, whose ability to orchestrate proceedings in the centre of the park will be crucial to Spain’s hopes of winning the title for the second time.
Teammate Lamine Yamal is also one to watch after repeatedly demonstrating his ability during Spain’s successful Euro 2024 campaign.
Portugal star Bruno Fernandes should also be worth watching after cementing his status as Manchester United’s most valuable player this season.
He will be supported by Paris Saint-Germain duo Vitinha and Joao Neves, who will provide Portugal with the platform they need to make a deep run at the tournament.
The French squad is packed with hugely talented players including Rayan Cherki, who has been one of the top performers for Manchester City this term.
Federico Valverde looks a good bet to be the standout player for Uruguay. The Real Madrid star is ideally suited to manager Marcelo Bielsa’s style of play.
The rising stars
The World Cup is renowned for providing rising stars with the opportunity to announce themselves on the biggest stage and this summer will be no different.
German midfielder Lennart Karl was been widely tipped to make a big impact this summer after impressing on his debut in a thrilling 4-3 friendly victory over Switzerland.
Nico Paz has been flying with Serie A club Como this season and is fancied to be one of the headline acts as Argentina bid to go back-to-back at the World Cup.
Brazilian youngster Endrick has forced his way back into contention for a place at the World Cup courtesy of an impressive loan spell with Lyon in France.
Bournemouth winger Rayan could be another one to watch for the Samba Kings if manager Carlo Ancelotti selects him in the squad this summer.
Kees Smit has risen through the ranks at AZ Alkmaar and is on course to be part of the Netherlands squad. He has been likened to Spain star Pedri.
Nico O’Reilly (England), Luka Vuskovic (Croatia) Franco Mastantuono (Argentina) and Yan Diomande (Ivory Coast) are other youngsters worth monitoring this summer.
The legends
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will have one last opportunity to strut their stuff on the global stage in North America.
Messi’s previous record at the World Cup was underwhelming, but he set the record straight by helping Argentina lift the trophy for the third time in 2022.
His tally of seven goals was only bettered by Mbappe, whose hat-trick in the final moved him one ahead of the legendary Argentinian playmaker.
Messi will be eager to finish his international career with a flourish and there would no better way to do that than by winning the World Cup again.
Ronaldo has also flattered to deceive on the biggest stage and will be desperate to show that he can still cut it despite his veteran status.
The Portuguese superstar has never previously played in the World Cup final, which is a glaring hole on his otherwise glittering career CV.
For many fans, a final showdown between Messi and Ronaldo in New Jersey on July 19 would be the perfect end to their combined story.
