The 2026 World Cup is finally here, as the biggest players, managers, and nations all head to North America this summer for the largest tournament in FIFA’s history. With 48 teams and well over 1,200 players featuring in the competition, there are plenty of stars, both known and unknown, who will be looking to make an impact on the world stage and take their respective countries to the latter stages.

Every player will have the Golden Ball, the World Cup’s best player award, in the back of their minds, looking to cut through the crowd of impressive stars to be remembered for their contributions at the World Cup. But who are the top stars involved in the latest edition of football’s most illustrious competition? GIVEMESPORT has ranked the top 100 stars taking part in the FIFA World Cup 2026.

100

Neymar

Adriano Machado via Reuters

• Country: Brazil
• Club: Santos
• Position: Forward
• Age: 34

It was a huge talking point in Brazil and beyond… would Neymar get his last dance on the biggest international stage? Carlo Ancelotti emphatically answered that question by picking him over Chelsea’s Joao Pedro.

There can be no arguing that the forward is one of the most skilful players in football history, and he was key in Brazil’s 2014 and 2018 campaigns. He’s certainly past his best due to significant injury troubles, hence his low position on this list, but it wouldn’t surprise anyone if the 34-year-old popped up with a vital contribution.

99

Weston McKennie

Kirby Lee / IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters

• Country: USA
• Club: Juventus
• Position: Midfielder
• Age: 27

The son of a USAF serviceman, Texan-raised McKennie is a gifted and adaptable footballer who was prepared to gamble in the big European leagues. He had barely emerged from the FC Dallas youth system before he was spirited to Germany by Schalke 04 as an 18-year-old in 2017 before becoming the first American to play for Juventus in 2020. Progress wasn’t smooth – there was injury and a loan to Leeds, but he is now vital to the Juve midfield.

This season, he was used in various positions but flourished in a more advanced midfield role, providing useful goals and assists. McKennie scored on his senior international debut against Portugal in 2017. He also scored a vital equaliser at the inaugural Concacaf Nations League Final against Mexico in 2020. The USMNT went on to win 3-2, and he was subsequently named Player of the Tournament. His versatility and big match experience will be vital.

98

Antonee Robinson

Kirby Lee (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)

• Country: USA
• Club: Fulham
• Position: Defender
• Age: 28

The USA will be hoping for their best performance at a World Cup in several attempts, and Antonee Robinson will undoubtedly be one of the main reasons for any success they have.

Having shone for Fulham in recent years, the left-back has technical quality, has played at the highest level in the Premier League, and has the experience of going up against some of the top forwards in the world, week in, week out.

97

Daniel Munoz

Ueslei Marcelino via Reuters

• Country: Colombia
• Club: Crystal Palace
• Position: Defender
• Age: 30

Daniel Munoz will enter the first World Cup of his career as one of the most exciting right wing-backs in the world, on the back of making history with Crystal Palace in recent years.

His explosive style of play, bombing up and down the flank with determination and quality, is key at Selhurst Park, and will also be key for his nation, as they look to ruffle feathers and go one step further than they did at the 2024 Copa America.

Munoz was key in that tournament, playing every game before missing the final through suspension, and having experience of playing at the highest level will only help him to improve and shine.

96

Kevin De Bruyne

Geert Vanden Wijngaert via Reuters

• Country: Belgium
• Club: Napoli
• Position: Midfield
• Age: 34

Undoubtedly one of the most gifted footballers of his generation, Kevin De Bruyne has won everything there is to win at club level, but has never quite been able to get over the line with Belgium.

Now 34, the creative genius will have the chance to have an impact one more time on the biggest stage, and after an injury-hit campaign with Napoli, he will be hoping to be fresh to give his all and make history.

While he may not be the first name on the team sheet anymore, his undeniable quality means he can win games on his own. Indeed, he is still surrounded by quality and that could be the difference in tight games in the latter stages.

95

Son Heung-Min

Kim Soo-Hyeon via Reuters

• Country: South Korea
• Club: Los Angeles FC
• Position: Forward
• Age: 33

Arguably the greatest player in the history of South Korean football, Son Heung-min will have the chance to have one final blast at the highest level.

After leaving Tottenham to join Los Angeles FC last summer, the explosive forward has acclimatised to the conditions already, and with his big-game experience, lasting quality, and in-game intelligence, there are not many forwards better placed at this tournament to lead their country to glory.

He is able to play as a centre-forward or as a left-winger, and his clinical finishing means he only needs one chance to find the net. In a tournament where he will be an underdog in almost every game, that could be vital.

94

Johan Vasquez

Molly Darlington via Reuters

• Country: Mexico
• Club: Genoa
• Position: Defender
• Age: 27

A captain for Genoa, Johan Vasquez is one of the leaders of the Mexico squad, taking the armband for his country on the odd occasion when other seasoned veterans are absent.

Vasquez was in the Mexico squad for the 2022 edition of the tournament, but he failed to get off the bench as Mexico crashed out at the group stage. The 27-year-old has developed into a more prominent figure since then, with his defensive nous proving crucial, so he’ll be hoping to be a guaranteed starter in front of their home crowd this time round.

93

Abdukodir Khusanov

Maxim Shemetov Via Reuters

• Country: Uzbekistan
• Club: Manchester City
• Position: Defender
• Age: 22

Naming any Uzbekistan footballer would have been a thankless task at any pub quiz little more than 16 months ago. That’s something that has changed for the Silk Road nation as of late, though, with Abdukodir Khusanov becoming a dependable asset to Pep Guardiola’s Man City side since becoming the first-ever player from his nation to move to the Premier League in January 2025.

His arrival saw him make a dog’s dinner of a debut, having been at fault for two Chelsea goals within the space of 10 minutes. But he has shown his resilience since, and he’s as reliable as they come in English football.

92

Takefusa Kubo

Issei Kato via Reuters

• Country: Japan
• Club: Real Sociedad
• Position: Winger
• Age: 25

Japan may be heading into the World Cup as a dark horse to reach the latter stages, and star attacker Takefusa Kubo will have a major say in that if they do succeed.

The tricky winger has incredible speed, skilful feet and has played at the highest level for several years, having previously been at Real Madrid. The 24-year-old has previous experience playing at a World Cup too, but he’s far better now, and will be a dangerous opponent.

Capable of playing across the forward line, his versatility will be important for manager Hajime Moriyasu as they look to be tactically flexible to find the best solutions to win.

91

Sadio Mane

Siphiwe Sibeko via Reuters

• Country: Senegal
• Club: Al-Nassr
• Position: Forward
• Age: 34

After being stripped of his AFCON title with Senegal following his teammates’ decision to leave the pitch in protest against the referee during the final vs Morocco, Sadio Mane will be back with a vengeance. Well, sort of, since the former Liverpool and Bayern Munich winger doesn’t seem to have a bad bone in his body.

Watching him at this summer’s tournament, supporters will be quick to make note of the fact he’s always wearing a smile as he still has pace to burn out on the left wing. He might not be as prolific as he once was, but his reputation for club and country will ensure he makes the headlines for good reason at some stage of the competition.

Liverpool are lining up several deals this summer, but with the possibility of turning to the centre-back market, recent reports claim that the Reds have already agreed personal terms for a potential signing.

The defensive line at Anfield is set for some huge changes going into the next campaign under Andoni Iraola, as Ibrahima Konate walked away from the club as a free agent, while Andy Robertson has joined Premier League rivals Tottenham.

Robertson’s departure may have come at the right time after an impressive career with the club, but Konate’s move came as quite the blow, having played all but two Premier League games last season.

Jeremy Jacquet’s arrival should soften the blow somewhat, though it remains to be seen how well he adjusts to life in the Premier League, alongside Giovanni Leoni’s return from injury.

Liverpool‘s focus on the market may be on other positions to start with as a result of that, but centre-back remains a potential area to strengthen in.

With that in mind, a potential return for Jarell Quansah could well be on the cards.

Jarell Quansah Terms Agreed

As Liverpool face the prospect of entering the market for another centre-back, there could be a familiar face back at Anfield in the form of Quansah.

According to the Liverpool Echo, personal terms with the former Reds defender have already been agreed in the possible event of him coming back to Merseyside.

Quansah joined Bayer Leverkusen for £35 million last summer, but Liverpool inserted a buy-back clause in the deal worth in the region of £55 million.

While it’s unclear whether the club will trigger that clause, as it stands, it appears as though the focus will be on strengthening other positions first.

The wide areas are particularly crucial with Yan Diomande being heavily linked as an option Liverpool are interested in signing this summer.

However, depending on assessments made later in the window, Quansah could now return and without a protracted transfer negotiation to go with it.

Quansah’s Previous Season

When Quansah left Liverpool last season, he made it clear that his goal was to play more football and to earn plenty of first-team experience.

Aside from some minor injury problems, the Liverpool academy graduate certainly managed that as he made 44 appearances across all competitions for Bayer Leverkusen.

The centre-back was a regular for the side as they went on to record a sixth-placed finish in the Bundesliga with Europa League qualification secured for next season.

Quansah picked up five goals in that time too, and impressed enough to earn a call-up to the England squad for the 2026 World Cup this summer.

Whether that would be enough to earn a move back to Liverpool remains to be seen, but other clubs may well try their chances at landing the defender instead.

Tottenham Hotspur are hoping to wrap up their third major signing of the summer in the next 72 hours, according to the Athletic.

Having only avoided relegation to the Championship on the final day of the Premier League season, Tottenham chiefs are working to provide Roberto De Zerbi with a stronger squad that he can lead up the standings next term.

Spurs have already completed the signings of two experienced Premier League free agents in Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi to strengthen a backline which has conceded 183 top flight goals across the previous three seasons.

But ENIC are nowhere near being done, with potential additions in the goalkeeper position, defence, midfield and attack still to come.

The north Londoners are in talks to sign Brighton and Hove Albion centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke and Manchester City winger Savinho, while they are also ready to firm up interest in the Brazilian’s City teammate James Trafford should Guglielmo Vicario secure an exit from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the next few months.

Tottenham are hoping to complete one deal as soon as possible though, and it could have ramifications for one of their key players.

Tottenham Want to Complete Van Hecke Transfer by Sunday

via Reuters

One player Tottenham are trying to get a deal over the line for is Van Hecke, who is said to have decided it is only Spurs he wants to join this summer.

Personal terms are already reportedly in place, and now the north Londoners must agree a fee with the Seagulls, who are notoriously difficult to negotiate with.

Tottenham have already had two bids rejected for the Netherlands international with a third planned, according to GIVEMESPORT sources, with a separate report from the BBC claiming that the south coast side value the 26-year-old at £70m, even though he only has one year remaining on his contract at the Amex Stadium.

According to the Athletic, Spurs want to complete the deal before the Netherlands’ first World Cup group game against Japan on Sunday night.

Van Hecke Deal Could Have Ramifications for Two Players

via Reuters

Should Van Hecke join Senesi at Spurs, then De Zerbi’s centre-back options would include those two, captain Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Radu Dragusin, Kevin Danso and Luka Vuskovic.

It seems more and more likely that after months of rumours, Romero is likely to be on his way out of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer.

You would think that even if the Argentina international does go, at least one more centre-back exit could still be possible, given Van Hecke, Senesi and Van de Ven would be the most favoured options.

The case of Vuskovic is interesting in particular, with the 19-year-old viewed as one of the best young centre-backs in Europe, which was only highlighted by his impressive loan spell with Hamburg this season.

Should Van Hecke sign, it would be difficult to see Vuskovic getting many minutes, and it would leave Tottenham and the player with a decision to make. Does he fight for his place with limited game time, or do they sanction another exit either on loan or permanently?