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- FIFA World Cup: Memorable Moments and History
2026 FIFA World Cup: Key Players
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the biggest edition in the menâs football (soccer) tournamentâs history, with more than 1,200 players from 48 participating teams playing 104 matches from June 11 to July 19 across Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Since the first tournament was organized in 1930, many footballers have burst onto the international stage at the World Cup. Winning the quadrennial tournament is considered the crowning achievement of a playerâs career, and previous editions have seen some scintillating and era-defining performances from the GOATs over the decades. Brazilian legend PelĂ©âs explosive debut at the 1958 World Cup at 17, Argentine talisman Diego Maradonaâs individual brilliance and trickery at the 1986 World Cup, and French forward Kylian MbappĂ©âs heroics at the 2018 tournament are just a few that come to mind. (Read all about the greatest footballers of all time.)
Learn about the footballers who are expected to excel in the upcoming competition.
Under 20 years old
Lamine Yamal (Spain)
- Full name: Lamine Yamal Nasraoui Ebana
- Age: 18
- Preferred playing position: Winger
- World Cup appearances: One (2026)
Despite an injury scare, Lamine Yamal is one of Spainâs main forwards at the 2026 edition, scoring his first World Cup goal in a group-stage match against Saudi Arabia and putting in a crucial shift to help his team win 2â0 against France in the semifinals. He also helped his team beat Argentina 1â0 (after extra time) to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He made his senior international debut for Spain in 2023 and immediately became the countryâs youngest senior international and youngest goal scorer in a match against Georgia. A left-footed winger who usually operates from the right, Yamal is highly regarded for his close control, dribbling, passing range, creativity, and ability to beat defenders in one-on-one situations. He helped Spain win the Euro 2024 continental competition and was named the tournamentâs best young player, and his rise at Spanish club FC Barcelona included becoming the clubâs youngest first-team debutant, the youngest scorer in La Liga (Spanish domestic club league) history, and the winner of the Kopa Trophy (annual award honoring the worldâs best under-21 footballer) in 2024 and 2025. Ahead of the 2025â26 season FC Barcelona confirmed that Yamal would take over the clubâs iconic numberâŻ10 jersey, which had previously been worn by the clubâs legendary forward Lionel Messi.
Yan Diomande (CĂŽte dâIvoire)
- Age: 19
- Preferred playing position: Winger
- World Cup appearances: One (2026)
Diomande was named the 2025â26 Bundesliga Rookie of the Season.
Yan Diomande made his senior international debut in 2025 after a rapid rise at the club level with the German team RB Leipzig. He drew notice for his pace, direct dribbling, and improved end product, and he is considered one of the worldâs best young attacking players. Diomande has a knack for unsettling defenders and creating chances, and was one of the young standouts for his team during its run to the round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup, where it was eliminated following a 2â1 loss against Norway.
Pau CubarsĂ (Spain)
- Full name: Pau CubarsĂ Paredes
- Age: 19
- Preferred playing position: Center back
- World Cup appearances: One (2026)
Pau CubarsĂ played a key role for the Spanish national team in the 2026 tournament. He was a part of his teamâs defensive setup that conceded only one goal in eight matches and won the final 1â0 (after extra time) against Argentina. He won the tournamentâs best young player award. Considered one of the most promising young defenders in contemporary world football, he has become a regular part of Spanish club FC Barcelonaâs first team since making his senior debut in the 2023â24 season a few days before his 17th birthday, appearing in more than 120 official matches for the franchise. CubarsĂ has regularly demonstrated his passing skills, an ability to read the flow of the game and take up critical blocking positions, and a calm, effective defensive mindset while competing head-to-head against attackers with more experience.
Endrick (Brazil)
- Full name: Endrick Felipe Moreira de Sousa
- Age: 19
- Preferred playing position: Center forward
- World Cup appearances: One (2026)
Brazilian forward Endrick made his senior international debut in 2023 and was identified as an exciting attacking prospect because of his acceleration ability, intelligent movement in central areas, and capability to score from limited openings. He became a rising star in Brazil before moving into European football with Real Madrid and the French club Olympique Lyonnais. He was used mostly as a substitute in his first World Cup until his teamâs elimination in the round of 16.
20â30 years old
Ousmane Dembélé (France)
- Full name: Masour Ousmane Dembélé
- Age: 29
- Preferred playing position: Winger
- World Cup appearances: Three (2018, 2022, 2026)
The reigning Ballon dâOr holder, Ousmane DembĂ©lĂ© is in the prime of his career and is considered one of the best active players in the world. He has collected major club honors in the Spanish, German, and French football leagues and was a member of the French international teams that won the 2018 FIFA World Cup and finished second at the 2022 World Cup. However, despite making 11 appearances across two editions of the tournament, DembĂ©lĂ© scored his first World Cup goal in a group-stage match against Iraq, and followed it up with a hat trick against Norway. His team lost to Spain in the semifinal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In the 2024â25 season he helped the French club Paris Saint-Germain FC (PSG) achieve a rare continental treble. The following year DembĂ©lĂ© was again in the spotlight as PSG won the UEFA Champions League for the second year in a row. He also helped PSG retain the Ligue 1 title.
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JuliĂĄn Ălvarez (Argentina)
- Age: 26
- Preferred playing position: Center forward
- World Cup appearances: Two (2022, 2026)
Ălvarez has won the Copa America in 2021 and 2024, and the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina.
JuliĂĄn Ălvarezâs pressing, movement, and finishing techniques make him one of Argentinaâs most complete attacking options. In the four years since he was a part of the countryâs 2022 World Cup-winning squad, Ălvarez has evolved as a player, adding abilities such as taking free kicks, engaging in link-up play, and shouldering greater responsibility in possession to his repertoire. He has led his countryâs forward line during the 2026 World Cup.
Jude Bellingham (England)
- Full name: Jude Victor William Bellingham
- Age: 22
- Preferred playing position: Midfielder
- World Cup appearances: Two (2022, 2026)
Jude Bellingham played a crucial role in Englandâs 2026 World Cup campaign. He scored seven goals in the tournament, including goals against Croatia and Panama to help his team advance to the knockout stage as the group winner; he also scored two goals to help his team beat Mexico 3â2 in the round of 16. Hailed as one of the best box-to-box (the part of the pitch between the two penalty areas) midfielders in the world, his ball-carrying power, intelligent movement, and two-way influence helped him become one of the teen stars at the 2022 World Cup. He ranked third in the 2024 FIFA Ballon dâOr poll, marking him as one of the top players of the current generation. As of August 2025 he is also the third youngest player to have represented England in international football. He was part of the squad that reached the finals of the 2020 European Championship and lost to Italy on penalties. He scored his first international goal during a 2022 World Cup group match against Iran. Bellingham scored two goals during Englandâs Euro 2024 campaign and assisted in the teamâs only goal in the 2â1 loss against Spain in the final. Ahead of the 2026 tournament Bellingham was handed the England number 10 shirt, usually given to the best attacking midfielder in a squad. England relied heavily on Bellinghamâs ability to connect midfield and attack, cover ground defensively, and score vital goals in its long-running quest to win a second World Cup.
Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain)
- Full name: Mikel Oyarzabal Ugarte
- Age: 29
- Preferred playing position: Forward
- World Cup appearances: One (2026)
Mikel Oyarzabal was Spainâs top scorer at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with five goals, and helped the team win the tournament. He had been considered a reliable attacking player before the tournament because of his consistent performances for Spanish club Real Sociedad as well as for the national team during the 2024 European Championship, but he became one of the breakout stars at the 2026 tournament and one of the Spanish teamâs best attacking options. Oyarzabal scored a crucial penalty during Spainâs 2â0 win against France in the semifinals, and braces against Saudi Arabia during the group stage and Austria in the round of 32.
Erling Haaland (Norway)
- Full name: Erling Braut Haaland
- Age: 25
- Preferred playing position: Center forward
- World Cup appearances: One (2026)
Erling Haaland has found phenomenal success at the club level with Manchester City FC. The center forward is one of the most prolific scorers in world football. Since 2022 he has been the leading striker for Manchester City FC in the English Premier League. In his first season with the club (2022â23), Haaland set a new record for goals scored in a single Premier League season (36). In addition, he has won the Golden Boot, the award for the Premier Leagueâs top scorer, in three out of four seasons with Manchester City. He was a dominant force on the Norwegian team and was tied for top goal scorer in UEFA Nations League play in 2020â21 and 2022â23. In 2024 he became Norwayâs all-time leading scorer with his 34th international goal and was named captain of the squad. Haalandâs tally of 16 goals in eight international matches played a major role in Norway qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. Making his first appearance in the gameâs biggest international tournament, Haalandâs power, speed, and shooting accuracy saw him become one of the tournamentâs most lethal goal scorers. The Norwegian teamâs World Cup campaign has relied heavily on Haalandâs form as the main finisher and attacking focal point. He scored seven goals in the tournament, including the winner in the round of 32 against CĂŽte dâIvoire and both goals during his teamâs 2â1 win against Brazil in the round of 16, before England eliminated Norway in the quarterfinals.
Kylian Mbappé (France)
- Name: Kylian Mbappé Lottin
- Age: 27
- Preferred playing position: Forward
- World Cup appearances: Three (2018, 2022, 2026)
Kylian MbappĂ©âs speed and goal-scoring prowess have made him a dominant force in international football. He was part of the French team that won the 2018 World Cup and, at the 2022 tournament, became the second player in World Cup history to score a hat trick in the final. MbappĂ© ranks among the most productive players in the tournamentâs history and became the second player, after Argentinaâs Lionel Messi, to break German forward Miroslav Kloseâs all-time goal-scoring record. He is the second teenager in football history, after PelĂ© in 1958, to have scored four career goals in a World Cup final, and the first player to have a tally of four goals in the final round of the tournament. At the 2022 World Cup he scored eight goals in seven matches, which won him the Golden Boot award. Appearing in his third World Cup in 2026 MbappĂ© won the Golden Boot award for the tournamentâs top scorer, with 10 goals in 8 matches. He also passed Messi to become the all-time leading World Cup goal scorer, with 22 goals in total. France lost to Spain in the semifinals of the tournament.
Pedri (Spain)
- Full name: Pedro GonzĂĄlez LĂłpez
- Age: 23
- Preferred playing position: Midfielder
- World Cup appearances: Two (2022, 2026)
Pedri won the Kopa Trophy and the Golden Boy award in his first season with FC Barcelona.
Known for his control, rhythm, vision, and ability to seamlessly maintain possession of the ball, Pedri is one of Spainâs most important technical midfielders. He has played more than 250 matches and scored 30 goals for FC Barcelona, and he had a prominent role in helping the team win the 2025â26 La Liga title. After joining the club in August 2020 he won the menâs Kopa Trophy, awarded to the worldâs best under-21 player, and the Golden Boy award for best European under-21 player in his first season. The 2026 edition is Pedriâs second time playing in a World Cup, and he was one of the core players in an impressive Spanish squad that won the 2026 World Cup.
Luis DĂaz (Colombia)
- Full name: Luis Fernando DĂaz Marulanda
- Age: 29
- Preferred playing position: Winger
- World Cup appearances: One (2026)
DĂaz has won domestic club football league titles in Portugal, England, and Germany.
Luis DĂaz is Colombiaâs main wide attacker and played a prominent role in his countryâs World Cup campaign after an excellent 2025â26 season with Bayern Munich following his move from English club Liverpool FC. He has won numerous trophies in club football, including two Primeira Liga titles in Portugal with FC Porto (2019â20 and 2021â22), a Premier League title with Liverpool FC (2024â25), and a Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich (2025â26). He was also the top scorer during the 2020â21 Copa AmĂ©rica competition. DĂaz made his World Cup debut in 2026, as Colombia failed to qualify for the previous edition in Qatar. His direct running, work rate, and proven output at the top level helped him stand out at the 2026 tournament.
Aurélien Tchouaméni (France)
- Full name: Aurélien Djani Tchouaméni
- Age: 26
- Preferred playing position: Defensive midfielder
- World Cup appearances: Two (2022, 2026)
TchouamĂ©ni scored Franceâs opening goal against England in the 2022 World Cup quarterfinal.
AurĂ©lien TchouamĂ©ni is a defensive midfielder known for interceptions, excellent physical coverage, and controlled distribution. He was a starter for France during its run to the 2022 World Cup final, and he scored a spectacular long-range goal against England in the quarterfinals. Since then he has accumulated considerable experience at the highest levels of club competition with Spanish giant Real Madrid. He was part of the team that won the 2023â24 UEFA Champions League. His defensive balance, ball recovery, and tackling ability made him a crucial component in a forward-heavy French squad and helped it reach the semifinals, where it lost against Spain.
Federico Valverde (Uruguay)
- Full name: Federico Santiago Valverde Dipetta
- Age: 27
- Preferred playing position: Midfielder
- World Cup appearances: Two (2022, 2026)
Valverde has won Champions League titles with Real Madrid in 2022 and 2024.
Federico Valverde is known for his stamina, long-range shooting, and pressing intensity across the middle of the pitch and in the wide areas. He played in the 2022 World Cup and has since become one of Real Madridâs most durable and versatile players. He has won the Champions League title twice with Real Madrid, in the 2021â22 and 2023â24 seasons. Valverde was one of his teamâs key players during the World Cup qualifying campaign. However, he failed to make an impression in Uruguayâs 2026 World Cup campaign as it was eliminated in the group stage.
Désiré Doué (France)
- Full name: Désiré Nonka-Maho Doué
- Age: 21
- Preferred playing position: Attacking midfielder
- World Cup appearances: One (2026)
Doué became the first teenager to score twice in a Champions League final.
DĂ©sirĂ© DouĂ© is an attacking player known for his balance, dribbling, and skill in receiving the ball in tight spaces. His recent rise at PSG has earned him a place in a star-studded France squad for the 2026 World Cup. He was instrumental in helping the French club win its first Champions League title in the 2024â25 season, scoring twice in the final as PSG beat Inter Milan 5â0. DouĂ©âs ability to progress with the ball through defensive pressure, either by dribbling past defenders or by linking up with teammates, was a valuable attacking asset for his national team and helped his team advance to the semifinals where it lost to Spain.
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)
- Age: 27
- Preferred playing position: Right back
- World Cup appearances: Three (2018, 2022, 2026)
Hakimi scored the winning goal in the 2022 World Cup penalty shoot-out against Spain.
Achraf Hakimi is one of Moroccoâs most influential players, known for his impressive speed, attacking quality, and transition play on the wings. He has played a prominent role in helping his team advance to the quarterfinals of the 2026 tournament, eliminating pre-tournament favorite Netherlands along the way. Morocco was eliminated from the tournament after losing against France in the quarterfinal stage. He had a prominent role in helping Morocco reach the 2022 World Cup semifinals, the deepest run by an African team in the tournamentâs history. Hakimi scored the decisive penalty as Morocco beat Spain in a penalty shoot-out in the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup, helping Morocco reach its first World Cup quarterfinal. In the years since Hakimi has emerged as one of the most effective wingbacks in the world, having found tremendous success with PSG, including winning back-to-back Champions League titles in the 2024â25 and 2025â26 seasons.
Moisés Caicedo (Ecuador)
- Full name: Moisés Isaac Caicedo Corozo
- Age: 24
- Preferred playing position: Defensive midfielder
- World Cup appearances: Two (2022, 2026)
MoisĂ©s Caicedo is a defensive midfielder known for his tackling ability, recovery speed, and talent for covering large areas of the midfield. He played at the 2022 World Cup and has become one of Ecuadorâs highest-profile players in European club football. His stamina, blocking ability, and experience playing against top-level players helped Ecuador advance to the round of 32 at the 2026 tournament, where it lost to cohost Mexico.
Christian Pulisic (United States)
- Full name: Christian Mate Pulisic
- Age: 27
- Preferred playing position: Winger
- World Cup appearances: Two (2022, 2026)
Pulisic first captained the U.S. national team at the age of 20.
Christian Pulisic is one of the most successful American players in European club football. His ball-carrying skill, talent to create chances, and versatility in scoring from wide or central areas made him one of the main attacking options for the United States, a cohost of the 2026 edition. Pulisic excelled at the previous 2022 World Cup, scoring the winning goal against Iran that sent the United States into the round of 16, where it lost against Belgium. He is also a long-time leader of the American squad, having first captained the national team in 2019 at the age of 20. He has won the U.S. Player of the Year award four times (2017, 2019, 2021, 2023) and was part of the Chelsea FC team that won the Champions League in the 2021â22 season. Pulisic was in good form in 2025â26, having enjoyed a productive season with the Italian team AC Milan, and he has made an impression in front of American crowds, despite missing a match with a calf injury.
Raphinha (Brazil)
- Full name: Raphael Dias Belloli
- Age: 29
- Preferred playing position: Winger
- World Cup appearances: Two (2022, 2026)
Raphinha made his debut for Brazil in October 2021.
Raphinha is an attacker known for his work rate, left-footed delivery, and excellent goal production. He was part of Brazilâs squad at the 2022 World Cup and played in every match for the team. In the four years since, he has emerged as a productive and versatile player for both club and country. He has been one of FC Barcelonaâs most consistent attackers in the past three years, scoring 34 goals and making 22 assists in the 2024â25 season. Raphinha offered the Brazilian team tactical flexibility and the ability to contribute from both wide and central attacking positions, but suffered a hamstring injury in a group-stage match against Haiti. He returned to training ahead of his teamâs round of 16 clash against Norway but did not feature in the 2â1 loss that led to Brazilâs elimination from the tournament.
Rodri (Spain)
- Full name: Rodrigo HernĂĄndez Cascante
- Age: 29
- Preferred playing position: Defensive midfielder
- World Cup appearances: Two (2022, 2026)
Rodriâs positioning sense, passing accuracy, and match control are among the best in the world. His stellar form was one of the main reasons Spain became the European champions in 2024. Rodri was awarded the 2024 Ballon dâOr for his stellar performances during the 2023â24 season that Manchester City FC won the Premier League and FIFA Club World Cup. He became the first Manchester City player and only the second Spanish male player, after Luis SuĂĄrez in 1960, to win the trophy. He also played a big role in Spainâs 2024 UEFA European Championship win and was named the Player of the Tournament. Rodri was named Player of the Tournament and, later that year, the menâs Ballon dâOr winner. A long-term injury and indifferent form in the past year notwithstanding, his partnership with Pedri in the heart of Spainâs midfield is arguably the strongest in the world and was crucial in helping Spain win a second World Cup. He won the Golden Boot award for the tournamentâs best player.
VinĂcius JĂșnior (Brazil)
- Full name: VinĂcius JosĂ© PaixĂŁo de Oliveira, Jr.
- Age: 25
- Preferred playing position: Winger
- World Cup appearances: Two (2022, 2026)
VinĂcius JĂșniorâs extensive and varied skill set includes blinding speed, dazzling dribbling tricks, and the ability to effortlessly slip past defenders. He is Brazilâs top scorer in the tournament, with four goals, and helped his team advance to the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where it lost 2â1 against Norway in the round of 16. He won the FIFA best player award in 2024 and has been a top performer for Real Madrid in the 2025â26 season. Playing as a left-wing forward, he has helped the club win multiple titles, including UEFA Champions League trophies in 2021â22 and 2023â24, scoring in the final match of both editions. He was chosen as part of Brazilâs 2022 World Cup squad, scoring his first goal in the tournament Brazilâs knockout-round win over South Korea. In the 2024 Copa America tournament, he scored two goals in a win against Paraguay but missed the quarterfinal against Uruguay, which Brazil lost, because of a suspension.
Declan Rice (England)
- Age: 27
- Preferred playing position: Central midfielder
- World Cup appearances: Two (2022, 2026)
While Rice wears the number 4 shirt for England, he has worn the number 41 shirt at every club he has played for.
Declan Rice is a central midfielder known for tackling, interceptions, ball carrying, and set-piece deliveries. He was a regular squad member for England at the 2022 World Cup and has since developed further at the Arsenal football club, adding more attacking involvement to his defensive base. In 2025â26 his club won the Premier League title and reached the final of the UEFA Champions League. Rice was a major contributor to Arsenalâs successful season, and English fans have seen him deliver high-level performances at the 2026 World Cup that have helped the team reach the quarterfinals.
Viktor Gyökeres (Sweden)
- Full name: Viktor Einar Gyökeres
- Age: 28
- Preferred playing position: Center forward
- World Cup appearances: One (2026)
Gyökeres scored 54 goals in 52 appearances for Portugalâs Sporting CP in 2024â25.
Viktor Gyökeresâs impressive strength and speed have helped him become one of the most productive center forwards for the last two seasons in European football. He made his tournament debut at the 2026 World Cup and to led the national teamâs forward line, scoring a goal in a 5â1 win against Tunisia. Fans of the team were hoping to see Gyökeres replicate the excellent form that played a prominent part in Sweden qualifying for the tournament. However, the teamâs campaign ended in a loss against France at the round of 32.
Florian Wirtz (Germany)
- Full name: Florian Richard Wirtz
- Age: 23
- Preferred playing position: Attacking midfielder
- World Cup appearances: One (2026)
Florian Wirtz made his World Cup debut at the 2026 edition, having established himself as one of the leading contemporary attackers in professional football with an uncanny knack for unlocking defenses through precision passing and intelligent movement off the ball. Wirtz first rose to fame with German club Bayer Leverkusen, playing a prominent part in the team going undefeated and winning the Bundesliga in the 2023â24 season. He was also named the player of the season that year. Wirtz was signed by Premier League club Liverpool FC in the summer of 2025 for ÂŁ116 million ($156 million) in one of the largest deals in the leagueâs history. He played a part in Germany advancing past the group stage of the World Cup for the first time since winning the 2014 edition. His campaign ended with the German teamâs elimination in a penalty shoot-out against Paraguay in the round of 32.
Scott McTominay (Scotland)
- Full name: Scott Francis McTominay
- Age: 29
- Preferred playing position: Midfielder
- World Cup appearances: One (2026)
McTominay was named the MVP of the Italian football league in the 2024â25 season.
Scott McTominay, who is playing the best football of his career, made his tournament debut at the 2026 World Cup. His physicality, well-timed penalty-area runs, and scoring ability have served him well in the Serie A (domestic Italian club league), in which he plays for Naples-based team SSC Napoli. McTominay has also been in exceptional form for the Scottish national team during the recent qualifying cycle, and he started every match of the tournament for his country, but was unable to help Scotland break the 72-year-long jinx of never having advanced to the knockout stage of a World Cup.
Santiago Giménez (Mexico)
- Full name: Santiago Tomås Giménez
- Age: 25
- Preferred playing position: Center forward
- World Cup appearances: One (2026)
GimĂ©nezâs goal in the 2023 final helped Mexico win a record ninth CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Santiago GimĂ©nez is a center forward known for making unpredictable movements, finishing in the penalty area, and stretching defensive lines. He was absent from Mexicoâs squad for the 2022 World Cup but has since become one of the national teamâs main center forwards. He scored the winning goal for Mexico against Panama in the 88th-minute of the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup final (a continental international tournament for North and Central American countries), which helped Mexico win a record ninth title. Despite suffering from injuries and experiencing a mixed season with Italian club AC Milan, GimĂ©nez was one of the key substitutes for Mexico in its run to the 2026 World Cup round-of-16 stage, where it was eliminated.
Alphonso Davies (Canada)
- Full name: Alphonso Boyle Davies
- Age: 25
- Preferred playing position: Left back
- World Cup appearances: Two (2022, 2026)
Alphonso Davies scored Canadaâs first World Cup goal.
Alphonso Davies is one of the most high-profile members of the Canadian World Cup squad, though he did not take the field for the teamâs group-stage matches because of a hamstring injury. Fans across Canada saw him recover in time to play the round of 32 clash against South Africa and help his team reach the round of 16 of the World Cup for the first time, where the team lost 3â0 against Morocco to get knocked out of the tournament. His overlapping runs and direct carries on the left side of the pitch have been a crucial component of the national teamâs success. He scored Canadaâs first FIFA World Cup goal in the menâs edition against Croatia in 2022. Davies was also part of the German club Bayern Munichâs squad that won the continental treble (winning the domestic league, knockout domestic cup competition, and Champions League simultaneously) in the 2019â20 season.