Al Jazeera profiles ten key figures ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026
The media outlet has identified a mix of established legends and emerging talents from ten nations, highlighting specific career milestones and tactical contexts for the upcoming finals.
Al Jazeera has published a comprehensive feature identifying the top 10 football players to watch at the FIFA World Cup 2026, which is scheduled to commence on Thursday, 11 June. The selection spans established legends and emerging talents from ten nations: Argentina, Spain, France, Norway, Portugal, England, Brazil, Ghana, Turkey, and Egypt.
The article outlines specific career milestones, recent form, and tournament contexts for each player. Key figures highlighted include Lionel Messi, Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Cristiano Ronaldo, Harry Kane, Vinicius Jr, Bryan Semenyo, Arda Guler, and Mohamed Salah.
Messi, aged 38, returns for a joint-record sixth World Cup appearance as Argentina look to defend their title. However, the outlet notes his role may be limited by age and fitness. In contrast, Spain’s Lamine Yamal, aged 18, is viewed as a potential record-breaker, with the possibility of becoming the youngest player to win the Golden Boot following his success at Euro 2024.
France’s Kylian Mbappe is one goal away from becoming his nation’s all-time leading scorer, surpassing Olivier Giroud’s tally of 57 goals. Meanwhile, Norway’s Erling Haaland enters the tournament as a debutant after topping UEFA qualifying with 16 goals and reaching 50 international goals in fewer than 50 caps.
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, aged 41, is expected to play more minutes under new coach Roberto Martinez compared to the 2022 tournament. England captain Harry Kane, fresh from a Bundesliga title, aims to become the first player to win the Golden Boot twice.
Brazil’s Vinicius Jr, voted The Best FIFA Men’s Player for 2024, leads a star-studded attack under coach Carlo Ancelotti. Ghana’s Bryan Semenyo, who recently joined Manchester City, is positioned as a key figure in the absence of injured midfielder Mohammed Kudus.
Turkey’s Arda Guler makes his first major tournament appearance with the national team, while Egypt’s Mohamed Salah, recovering from a muscle injury, is likely to feature in his final World Cup. The tournament begins on June 11, with Al Jazeera providing dedicated coverage including live text commentary and real-time results.
