World Cup 2026 top players to watch from Lionel Messi to Christian Pulisic to Yan Diomande
The World Cup, at its best, provides a moment for people to come together behind their national teams, collectives united under a common flag and shared dreams of trophy-raising triumph.But it’s also a global stage for the best soccer players to imprint themselves in memory — a la Pelé, Maradona, Zidane.Here’s a look at the individuals — from the household names to the stars in waiting — who will own the spotlight at World Cup 2026:Lionel Messi, F, Argentina: It’s this simple: the GOAT, trying to go back-to-back.Enjoy it.
He’ll turn 39 during the tournament and his fitness for a series of up to eight matches is debatable.Cristiano Ronaldo, F, Portugal: The other, more chiseled face of soccer’s longtime duopoly.At 41, he’s no less famous, but he’s of decreasing importance to Portugal’s chances of finally winning one.Mohamed Salah, F, Egypt: The longtime ex-Liverpool star has a case as Africa’s all-time most influential player.
Coming off a down season at the club level, he’ll look to inspire Egypt into the knockouts.Luka Modric, MF, Croatia: One of the midfield greats, Modric is improbably still ticking at the age of 40, fully eight years after he steered his country to the final.Son Heung-min, F, South Korea: Has excelled since making a Messi-style move to MLS, and now has to translate that form for one of Asia’s dark-horse squads.Guillermo Ochoa, GK, Mexico: “Memo” would become a third member of the six-World Cup club, along with Messi and Ronaldo, if he gets into a game.Currently penciled in as Mexico’s backup.Christian Pulisic, F, United States: The advance billing has led to this: Pulisic is in his prime at 27, and he’s leading the USMNT on home soil.
Now he must deliver.Kylian Mbappé, F, France: The consensus best player in the world.With five goals, the polarizing Real Madrid attacker will become the all-time leading men’s World Cup scorer.
And he’s still just 27.Erling Haaland, F, Norway: The most feared out-and-o...