As the 2026 World Cup approaches, a host of football stars are ready to make their mark in Canada, Mexico, and the USA.
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The countdown to the 2026 World Cup is on a number of stars are set to light up the tournament in Canada, Mexico and the USA across the next two months.
It is set to be the largest World Cup in history with the expanded 48-team format meaning we have even more contenders to have a major impact at the finals.
The tournament will feature a blend of legendary icons making a “final hurrah” and a hungry new generation ready to seize the throne. Mzansiwins have taken a look at the potential World Cup stars.
Ageing now, these players are approaching the end of glittering careers and will be targeting one last dance at the 2026 tournament
Widely regarded in some quarters as the greatest player of all time, Lionel Messi led Argentina to the title at Qatar 2022. It was the crowning moment in an impressive career that has produced eight Ballons d’Or and multiple other individual awards.
At 38, Messi remains the beating heart of Argentina and continues to provide clutch moments for the world champions. While his pace has slowed, his playmaking remains peerless and with his glittering career slowly winding down, North America could provide one final magical outing for the Number 10.
Considered to be up there with Messi as one of the greats of the Modern Era, Cristiano Ronaldo has been the talisman and leader of Portugal for over a decade. He has led Seleção das Quinas to glory at the European Championship while they also won the UEFA Nations League in 2025, although the World Cup remains elusive.
At 41 and attending a record-breaking sixth World Cup, Ronaldo has evolved into the focal point of Portugal’s attack. The team has come to count on the prolific forward’s goalscoring prowess, and that may be their path to glory in the summer.
Luka Modric led Croatia to the World Cup final in 2018, putting up a string of dazzling displays that won him the Ballon d’Or. The legendary midfielder has won it all at club level, but glory with the national team continues to elude him.
Modric will be 41 at the end of the year, and while he remains an influential member of the Croatia team, 2026 is most likely his final hurrah with the national team. The World Cup in North America could be the last time fans will get to enjoy the skills and talents of the midfield maestro.
Players who are already established as the best of the best in world football and are looking to add to already growing reputations with a big impact in North America.
Kylian Mbappe is already a World Cup winner with France in 2018 and also led the team to the final in 2022, winning the Golden Boot along the way. He is now the captain of Les Bleus and attending his third World Cup.
At the absolute prime of his career, Mbappe is one of the driving forces for Spanish giants Real Madrid and has finished as the team’s top scorer in the last two years. The forward also has 12 World Cup goals to his name, just four behind Miroslav Klose’s 16 strikes, and with that record in his sights, he will certainly be one of the players to watch this summer.
Harry Kane has never won the World Cup but emerged as the golden boot winner in the 2018 tournament. Over the years, he has built a reputation as one of the deadliest strikers in Europe, winning titles with Bundesliga side Bayern Munich, and is considered one of the frontrunners for this year’s Ballon d’Or.
Success for England remains elusive for Kane, who will be desperate to win something with the Three Lions. With the striker up front, goals are almost a guarantee, and given the quality and range of his finishing, he will be an exciting prospect to watch in North America.
Erling Haaland burst onto the scene at Borussia Dortmund and over the years has established himself as one of the best strikers in world football. He has an incredible scoring record and leads the all-time chart for Norway with 55 goals in 49 matches.
Haaland finished as the top scorer in the European qualifiers with 16 goals, leading Norway’s return to the global stage for the first time since 1998. He is yet to display his prowess at a major international competition and will view the 2026 World Cup as the perfect platform.
From Michael Owen in France 1998 to Mbappe at Russia 2018, a lot of players have burst onto the scene at the World Cup over the years and gone on to achieve great things. Who are the next generation of superstars are ready to explode this summer.
Lamine Yamal is only 18 but has already experienced glory with Spain, winning the European Championship in 2024. The forward has also become a key player for Barcelona, playing a pivotal role in Barcelona’s re-established dominance in La Liga.
Blessed with skill, pace, and incredible technique even at such a young age, Yamal is always a handful for defenders. The Spaniards are considered one of the favourites for the World Cup and the forward is expected to play a pivotal role in their quest for glory.
The only query now is whether a thigh injury will prevent him from being on the plane.
Young players from Brazil have made their mark at the World Cup over the years, from Pele to Neymar. Estevao is considered the latest player in that conveyor belt of talents and at 19, is already becoming a vital player for the Selecao.
Highly rated among Brazilian fans, Estevao has already earned a move to England, establishing himself as a regular with Premier League side Chelsea. The young forward is fancied by manager Carlo Ancelotti and could be worth keeping an eye on in the summer.
Nico Paz is regarded as one of the most exciting and promising youngsters from Argentina and is currently making waves in Europe. Originally on the books of Real Madrid and currently playing for Italian side Como, the Spanish club is keen to see the talented youngster return to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Paz made his debut for Argentina in 2024 and has eight appearances for the national team. 2026 will be his first World Cup appearance, and with experienced players like Messi, Enzo Fernandez and Alexis Mac Allister providing guidance, the 21-year-old could have a proper breakout in the summer.
Desire Doue is only 20 but has established himself as an important part of the PSG side that has dominated Europe in the last two years. His exploits during the Parisians’ Champions League winning run earned him the Golden Boy award, and the forward looks set to explode at the World Cup.
Doue is already an established member of the French national team and is part of an attack that includes Mbappe, Michael Olise, and Ousmane Dembele. With Les Bleus tipped as one of the favourites to win the World Cup, the young forward could play a vital role in that triumph.
Over the years, African stars have made a name for themselves at the World Cup, and the class of 2026 is set to follow those hallowed footsteps. There are players who are gearing up for their last dance in North America, while others are waiting to make their name at the global showpiece.
Mohamed Salah has been a loyal servant to Egypt for over a decade, but may well be heading to his last World Cup for the North Africans. The forward has already announced his departure from Liverpool at the end of the season and is winding down his career with the national team.
The 33-year-old is yet to achieve significant success with Egypt despite reaching a few finals at the AFCON. He is the leader of the Pharaohs, and as he pushes for success at the international level, he could be set for a magical summer in North America.
Like Salah, Sadio Mane could be heading to his final major international tournament with Senegal. He has been part of Senegal’s golden generation that won the AFCON in 2021 and reached the final in 2025.
Mane is Senegal’s all-time leading scorer with 53 goals and has already been to two previous World Cups. He should bring all his experience as he looks to push the Teranga Lions further than they have ever gone before.
Brahim Diaz switched allegiance from Spain to Morocco in 2024 and has become a catalyst for the Atlas Lions. The playmaker led the Atlas Lions to the 2025 AFCON on home soil and finished at the top scorer with five goals.
Morocco set the standard for Africa at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar when they reached the semi-final. If the North Africans are to match or even surpass this feat in 2026, Diaz is expected to play a pivotal role in their campaign.