The 2026 World Cup will see each Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi line up for his or her sixth appearances at FIFA’s showpiece international occasion.
Each made their debuts, for Portugal and Argentina respectively, at Germany 2006, and have illuminated each match since.
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As soon as extra, the eyes of the world shall be on their each transfer throughout what are more likely to be their final appearances on the worldwide stage. Ronaldo is 41, whereas Messi will flip 39 on June 24.
A pointy eye, although, can be at all times solid by the viewers on which pretender to the crown will step ahead to steal the limelight. Right here, Al Jazeera takes a take a look at the highest 10 breakout stars to look at for:
⚽ Kenan Yildiz (Turkiye)
The final time Turkiye performed at a World Cup, Juventus’s Kenan Yildiz wasn’t even born. However now, as they return to soccer’s largest stage after a protracted 24-year wait, Yildiz carries the hopes of thousands and thousands of Turkish followers.
Born in Germany, Yildiz arrives on the World Cup on the again of early success in Europe, having lifted the Coppa Italia in 2023-24 with Juventus and incomes a spot within the Serie A crew of the season the next yr.
Able to enjoying as an attacking midfielder or winger, the younger Yildiz is likely one of the most fun prospects in Turkiye’s assault. The 21-year-old, who has typically shared the highlight with teammate Arda Guler, will now look to step out on his personal and announce himself at one of many largest sporting occasions.
⚽ Nico Paz (Argentina)
This 21-year-old attacking midfielder is broadly tipped as a number one candidate to succeed Lionel Messi, with the 38-year-old soccer legend set for what might be his final World Cup.
With 12 objectives and 7 assists within the Italian Serie A this season, the artistic Paz was in advantageous type for Como, who earned their debut qualification for the Champions League two seasons after enjoying within the second division.
Paz operates primarily as an attacking midfielder, and is flexible sufficient to seamlessly drop deep or push ahead, as heralded by his membership supervisor, Cesc Fabregas.
⚽ Rayan (Brazil)
Rayan is the most recent gem to come back out of Brazilian soccer. The 19-year-old winger acquired his maiden senior call-up from Carlo Ancelotti in March and was included within the World Cup squad within the absence of injured teen sensation Estevao. He scored his first goal for Brazil of their 6-2 rout of Panama in a pre-World Cup pleasant.
Backed by the belief of his then-coach, Fernando Diniz, Rayan loved a breakthrough season final yr at Vasco da Gama Stadium.
His 20 objectives in all competitions helped Vasco attain the Copa do Brasil ultimate, and people performances additionally earned him a transfer this yr to Bournemouth, the place he has rapidly tailored to English soccer. Rayan scored 5 objectives and added two assists in 15 Premier League appearances, as Bournemouth secured European soccer qualification for the primary time within the membership’s historical past.
⚽ Gilberto Mora (Mexico)
Mora grabbed the headlines within the nationwide press in Mexico at an age when he ought to have been absolutely targeted on his research. In 2024, the Tijuana attacking midfielder turned the youngest participant to attain within the Mexican prime flight – aged solely 15 years.
Simply 5 months after turning into Tijuana’s youngest debutant, Mora acquired his first senior call-up and, by mid-2025, turned his nation’s youngest debutant at 16 years, 9 months and 14 days.
His exceptional rise peaked in July final yr, when he turned the youngest participant to win a senior worldwide match as Mexico lifted the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Composed on the ball and blessed with a eager eye for the aim, Mora performed on the U-20 World Cup 2025 and can now be hoping to make the step as much as the senior stage this summer time.
⚽ Yan Diomande (Ivory Coast)
Diomande has taken Europe by storm since becoming a member of RB Leipzig from Leganes lower than a yr in the past, prompting the German membership to slap a staggering 100 million-euro ($116.5m) valuation on him.
Identified for his excellent tempo, robust dribbling, and athleticism, the 1.8m (6ft) winger has an actual eye for the aim.
The 19-year-old scored 12 league objectives and bagged eight assists as Leipzig completed third this Bundesliga season, confirming their Champions League berth for subsequent yr.
Rising into one of the vital feared wingers in Germany’s prime flight, Diomande completed the 2025-26 marketing campaign with the Bundesliga Rookie of the Season award.
He helped the Ivory Coast safe World Cup qualification on the again of a quarterfinal run within the Africa Cup of Nations.
⚽ Nico O’Reilly (England)
A product of the Manchester Metropolis academy, O’Reilly made his senior debut for the Etihad membership within the 2024-25 season. This yr’s marketing campaign, nonetheless, has been his greatest one but, because the 21-year-old flourished below supervisor Pep Guardiola, enjoying each as a left-back and an attacking midfielder.
Having performed greater than 50 matches in all competitions this season, which featured 9 objectives and 6 assists, O’Reilly emerged as one of many brightest prospects in English soccer. His versatility might make him an important asset in coach Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad, as England, one of many pre-tournament favourites, purpose for a deep run.
⚽ Lennart Karl (Germany)
Having represented Germany from the U-15 stage upwards, Karl earned his maiden senior call-up in March following a breakthrough season at Bayern Munich. With 9 objectives and eight assists in all competitions in his debut marketing campaign with the Bavarians, Karl has rapidly emerged as a younger sensation within the Bundesliga.
The 18-year-old attacking midfielder, who may play out huge, has a small body. However his fast toes, aptitude and eye for the aim make him an intriguing possibility for Julian Nagelsmann’s Germany squad.
⚽ Luka Vuskovic (Croatia)
Named Bundesliga Rookie of the Month 4 instances, 19-year-old defender Vuskovic has rapidly established himself as one of many league’s standout younger abilities.
Signed by Tottenham Hotspur and instantly loaned to Hamburger, the Croatian centre-back loved a formidable season in Germany’s prime flight, incomes common recreation time with 27 appearances and contributing six objectives.
A menace throughout set items, Vuskovic has quickly emerged as certainly one of Europe’s most promising centre-back prospects – a lot in order that giants Bayern Munich have been rumoured to have an interest within the teenager.
⚽ Keisuke Goto (Japan)
Be careful for Goto, the 20-year-old striker who’s the youngest member of Japan’s supremely proficient World Cup squad.
Having made his worldwide debut in November, and amassing solely three caps up to now, Goto wasn’t assured of being chosen by coach Hajime Moriyasu.
However with 13 objectives and eight assists in all competitions this season, the towering 1.91m (6ft, 3-inch) striker, who’s on mortgage at Sint-Truidense from fellow Belgian facet Anderlecht, might be Japan’s very personal trump card in assault.
⚽ Ali Jasim (Iraq)
A part of Iraq’s new technology of gamers, Jasim is gearing up for his first main worldwide match. Having completed as the highest scorer on the U-23 Asian Cup two years in the past, Jasim, now 22, arrives on the World Cup on the again of a stable season within the Saudi Professional League.
On mortgage at Al Najma from Italian membership Como, Jasim made 24 appearances within the Saudi prime flight, together with 19 begins. Taking part in primarily as a left winger, however generally additionally as an attacking midfielder or centre ahead, Jasim discovered the online 4 instances.
After enjoying on the U-20 World Cup and the Paris Olympics 2024, Jasim is prepared for extra challenges, as Iraq return to the World Cup after 40 lengthy years.
The FIFA World Cup begins on June 11. You may comply with the motion on Al Jazeera’s devoted World Cup 2026 web page with all the most recent information, match build-up and reside textual content commentary, and maintain updated with group standings, real-time match outcomes and schedules.
