The 2026 World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, is poised to be the greatest tournament in footballing history, with a record 48 nations competing for the illustrious golden trophy.
What makes next summer’s upcoming tournament so special, is the fact that the 2026 World Cup will be the first with an expanded format, meaning that fans of the beautiful game will get to witness even more of the world’s best in action in North America.
Argentina, spearheaded by Lionel Messi, are the reigning champions following their dramatic victory over France at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
However, in those four years, several young talents who did not feature in Qatar have risen to footballing prominence, and are set to make their make when the World Cup kicks-off in June.
Here, GIVEMESPORT runs through the 11 best players who will be playing in their first World Cup in the 2026 tournament, looking to knock the Inter Miami star off his perch.
Ranking Factors
Career stats
Team they play for
Ability (especially for players currently sidelined by injury)
Trophies won/
11
Nick Woltemade
Germany
Nick Woltemade has been in fine form since arriving at Newcastle United from Stuttgart in the summer window, for a club-record £69m, both on the club front under Eddie Howe and for his German national team.
In the Premier League, Woltemade has scored four goals in eight outings, and has been in even more impressive form in the World Cup qualifiers for Germany, scoring four goals and assisting once in just six appearances.
23-year-old Woltemade only made his senior debut for Germany back in June, but has already proven himself to be an important component of Julian Nagelsmann’s attack with his brace against Luxembourg this month in the qualification rounds, and the 6’6″ frontman will be a handful for defences to deal with in North America next summer for his first World Cup tournament.
10
Abdukodir Khusanov
Uzbekistan
Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov was Uzbekistan’s star player in their maiden qualification for the global footballing tournament, despite being dismissed in their recent draw with Iran, which his nation won 4-3 on penalties.
21-year-old Khusanov has seven appearances under Pep Guardiola to his name so far this season, taking his tally to 16 for City since signing from RC Lens in January, and he has solidified himself as one of the most prominent defensive talents in European football.
The City starlet will be imperative if Uzbekistan, now under the tutelage of 2006 World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro, are to progress out of the group stage in their first-ever World Cup tournament.
9
Pau Cubarsi
Spain
18-year-old Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi was just a schoolboy when Spain were beaten in the round of 16 by Morocco in the 2022 World Cup, but the youngster will be intent on improving that feat next summer.
After being promoted from the Barça youth ranks in 2024, the glossy centre-back has cemented himself as one of the best young central defenders in European football under Hansi Flick, playing 56 times across all competitions last season as the Catalonians won La Liga and reached the Champions League semi-finals.
In his most recent outing for Spain, Cubarsi helped his nation to a 4-0 win over Georgia by enjoying the best passing accuracy (98%) of any player to play 45 minutes or more, showcasing that he is the ideal heir to Spain’s central defensive throne.
8
Joao Neves
Portugal
21-year-old PSG midfielder Joao Neves is another supreme young talent set to feature in his first World Cup tournament, and his national team boss Roberto Martinez will be hoping to see the central midfielder continue his exhilarating form into the summer.
So far this season, Neves has four goals in six games for the French champions, and was imperative to their Club World Cup venture in the summer with three goal contributions in seven outings, which ended in a 3-0 defeat to Chelsea.
Most recently for his nation, Neves scored a hat-trick in a 9-0 rout over Armenia, and his presence in the engine room will be imperative for the 2016 European championship winners to be in contention for glory at the 2026 World Cup.
7
Estevao
Brazil
International Friendly – Brazil v Senegal – Emirates Stadium, London, Britain – November 15, 2024 Brazil’s Estevao celebrates scoring their first goal Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley
Unfortunately for Neves, next on the list is Brazilian starlet Estevao, whose parent club Chelsea beat the Parisiens in the US last summer.
After arriving at Stamford Bridge from Palmeiras in the summer, the 18-year-old winger has been in exciting form for Enzo Maresca’s side, notching five goal contributions from his first 16 games in a Chelsea jersey.
Similar to Cubarsi, Estevao was just 14 when his country were knocked out of the previous World Cup in Qatar, following their defeat on penalties to Croatia.
Within the latest international break, Estevao scored in friendlies against Senegal and Tunisia, and will be desperate to play a role in Carlo Ancelotti’s side stealing the crown from their South American rivals in the summer.
6
Florian Wirtz
Germany
World Cup – UEFA Qualifiers – Group A – Germany v Slovakia – Red Bull Arena, Leipzig, Germany – November 17, 2025 Germany’s Florian Wirtz REUTERS/Annegret Hilse
They say in football that ‘form is temporary, but class is permanent’, and Liverpool summer signing Florian Wirtz will be desperate to prove so for Germany next summer.
After arriving at Anfield for a staggering £116m fee from Bayer Leverkusen, the German playmaker has struggled for form since moving to the Premier League, failing to score or assist in his first 11 top flight appearances thus far.
Reigning champions Liverpool currently sit eighth in the Premier League, and may have realistically lost hope of retaining their top flight title given the eight-point gap between themselves and leaders Arsenal.
Therefore, the 22-year-old, who was not on the plane to Qatar in 2022, will be hoping to right the wrongs of his 2025/26 season for his country in the summer.
5
Elliot Anderson
England
Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson was in the Scotland youth ranks at the time of the Qatar 2022 World Cup, in which England were beaten by France 2-1 in the quarter-finals.
Since then, Newcastle United academy graduate Anderson has pledged his national allegiance to the Three Lions, and cemented himself as one of the best young midfielders in world football after joining Forest in the summer of 2024.
As a result of his fine form, Manchester United have placed Anderson at the top of their transfer shortlist, but will need to pay upwards of £100m to secure the 23-year-old’s signature in the summer window.
In his maiden senior international tournament, Thomas Tuchel will be hoping to see the dynamic midfielder continue his impressive form from England’s qualifying campaign into the 2026 World Cup.
4
Luis Diaz
Colombia
Despite establishing himself as one of European football’s most prolific wingers, the 2026 World Cup will be Colombian Luis Diaz’s debut outing in the tournament.
The Bayern Munich forward, who has six goals and four assists in ten Bundesliga outings so far this season for the German champions, helped his Colombian compatriots to secure World Cup qualification with a 3-0 win over Bolivia back in September.
As quoted by the Bundesliga, Diaz said after Colombia’s qualification:
“I’m really happy about what we’ve achieved. It’ll be my first time at a World Cup. I’m very moved by it.”
Since Colombia sealed their spot, the 28-year-old has continued his emphatic form both domestically and for his nation, ending the World Cup qualifiers with seven goals and three assists in 17 outings, and the former Liverpool star will be hoping to continue those exploits in North America this summer.
3
Cole Palmer
England
Cole Palmer has established himself as one of the finest attacking midfielders in European football, and will be desperate to help his England teammates end their 60-year wait for World Cup triumph.
Palmer’s game-time for Chelsea and England has been hampered by injury so far this season, but his attacking output was staggering last season, which was capped off with his emphatic display in his side’s 3-0 win over PSG in the Club World Cup final.
Now 23, Palmer was a crucial part of Gareth Southgate’s squad for the 2024 Euros, scoring England’s equaliser against Spain after coming on as a substitute before suffering a 2-1 defeat to the eventual winners.
In 2026, the former Man City starlet will be desperate to go one better with his Three Lions teammates.
2
Lamine Yamal
Spain
At the 2024 Euros, it was Spain and Lamine Yamal who tasted victory at the expense of England, in a tournament which highlighted to the footballing world just how special the Barcelona superstar is.
Yamal assisted Nico Williams’ strike in the final, and was awarded Young Player of the Tournament for his exploits despite being just 16-years-old.
Since then, the spell-bounding Spaniard has become one of the world’s elite players, with many feeling he can go on to rival his Barcelona predecessor Messi.
The 18-year-old enters his first World Cup tournament in excellent form for Barcelona, and will inevitably play an imperative role if the 2010 World Cup winners are to hoist the golden trophy once again.
Switzerland and Qatar served up one of the most dramatic openers of the 2026 World Cup, with a 94th-minute header from Boualem Khoukhi snatching a point for the 2022 hosts in San Francisco.
But long before that late equaliser, Group B’s curtain-raiser had already generated its share of chaos, centred on a penalty incident in the 17th minute that left broadcasters, pundits and former officials demanding answers.
Some of these will stay in the minds of fans forever.
Remo Freuler latched onto a headed ball inside the penalty area and attempted to deftly lift it over the advancing Qatar goalkeeper, Mahmud Abunada. The challenge that followed was heavy enough to keep both players on the ground. Honduran referee Hector Said Martinez had made his call immediately: Penalty to Switzerland. Breel Embolo stepped up and converted without any fuss.
FIFA Slammed Over Switzerland vs Qatar Decision
Carlos Barria via Reuters
Replays appeared to show Freuler in an offside position as he received the ball, and VAR duly initiated a review. What followed frustrated everyone watching. No offside lines or semi-automated graphics were shown. The review concluded, the penalty stood, and viewers at home and inside the stadium were left entirely in the dark.
Watch the incident below:
Gary Neville didn’t hold back: “They’ve got the evidence of the automated decision — why are they not showing us?” he said, comparing FIFA’s approach to a “dictatorship.” Ian Wright was equally damning, calling the lack of transparency “scandalous.”
ITV commentator Lee Dixon, who had been convinced VAR would intervene, said: “There must be something wrong with my monitor.”
A statement has been released by the kit manufacturer after FIFA banned the kit design on the eve of the tournament
Former FIFA Referees Offer Contrasting Views
Darren Yamashita (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)
Former referee and PGMOL boss Keith Hackett went further than most. Responding on X to former Norway international Jan Aage Fjørtoft, who’d questioned why VAR was reviewing a penalty rather than the apparent offside. Hackett was blunt: “This goal should have been ruled out for offside. Technology fail.”
ITV’s referee analyst Christina Unkel offered a different perspective. She explained that under FIFA’s protocol, semi-automated offside graphics are only shown when a review results in an overturn, which is why the lines and the graphics never appeared. She also defended the technology itself, insisting it operates at a precision far beyond what the human eye could ever detect:
“The technology that’s been implemented in this World Cup is at a higher level so it’s going to be even sharper and crisper.”
He is currently in Boston but will not be able to travel to Canada for his team’s opening game.
Qatar ultimately had the last laugh, with Khoukhi’s late header denying Switzerland all three points. But the questions raised around the penalty are unlikely to disappear quietly.
This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.
Tommy Fury defeated Eddie Hall in their bizarre exhibition contest in the main event of a Misfits Boxing card at the AO Arena in Manchester on Saturday night.
Billed as ‘The Beauty vs The Beast’, there was a massive 108lbs weight difference between the two participants, with former World’s Strongest Man Hall enjoying a massive weight advantage.
The fight was signed over six two-minute rounds, in a marked departure from the three-minute rounds typically seen in boxing.
Hall made an impressive start in the first, constantly pressuring his smaller opponent and finding success with a big right hand towards the end of the session.
‘The Beast’ continued his good work in the second, using his imposing frame to prevent Fury from getting into his rhythm. His exertions in the first four minutes looked to have taken their toll on Hall in the third, as he was noticeably feeling the pace. Tommy was able to use Hall’s tiredness to land a few stiff shots and find his way into the fight.
Fury again used his movement well in the third, although Hall still found his way through with a few blows. Ultimately, though, the extra weight Hall was carrying was reflected in his cardio.
Although he swang heavily up until the final bell, Hall couldn’t find the blow he needed to end the fight, with Fury taking the win on the judges’ cards.
This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.
James McClean has always been one to speak up when he believes a moral line has been crossed.
The former Republic of Ireland international, who earned 103 caps for his country, has spoken out in a characteristically forthright fashion following a decision that had Irish fans up in arms.
The context is the FAI’s confirmation that Ireland’s UEFA Nations League fixture against Israel, scheduled for the 4th of October, will be moved to a neutral venue and played behind closed doors, rather than at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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The organisation cited operational challenges and potential disruption as the driving factors behind the decision, with UEFA approving the request following consultation with various stakeholders, including the Palestinian Football Association, which expressed its appreciation for Ireland’s stance on the conflict while respecting the FAI’s course of action.
McClean Accuses FAI of Cowardice
For McClean, the compromise satisfied nobody and stood for nothing. “I think we’ve missed a massive opportunity here,” he told RTE Sport (via the Irish Mirror). “I think the decision to move to a neutral venue behind closed doors, of all the decisions we could have made, is by far the worst one.
“The FAI have missed a massive opportunity to stand on the right side of history.”
“If you’re going to go ahead with the game, at least have the courage to face the backlash that was going to come with it being played in Dublin. But to move it away is a cowardly move.”
The Irish pair have finally swept their different under the carpet after a lengthy feud.
The Derry City man also drew on Ireland’s own history to make his point: “If there’s one country that can relate to the oppression and famine and what’s going on in Gaza, it’s the people of this country.”
The FAI’s lengthy statement on Saturday made clear that the decision wasn’t taken lightly. They’ve been engaged with UEFA on the issue for almost two years and submitted a formal motion in November 2025 that called for the suspension of the Israel Football Association from UEFA competitions. That motion was passed at the FAI’s general assembly, but UEFA’s competition rules left the association with limited room to manoeuvre.
The former Wrexham man, who has recently joined Derry City, couldn’t help but rile up the opposition fans one last time.
Had Ireland refused to fulfil the fixture entirely, the consequences would have been significant: Six points forfeited, potential relegation to League C in the Nations League, damage to UEFA and FIFA rankings, and perhaps most frustratingly, a boost to Israel’s own competition standing as a direct result.
It’s a seriously difficult position, and the statement reflects an organisation trying to balance sporting obligation against increasingly vocal moral pressure. Whether moving the game to a neutral venue reads as a reasonable compromise, or a failure of leadership, will depend largely on where those who read into it stand. McClean, for his part, has made his view rather clear.
