The 2026 World Cup isn’t far away. Mexico will kick off the tournament when they take on South Africa – Canada and the USA won’t be too far behind.
Before the World Cup commences, we’d like to look at five young stars who could be set for a breakout tournament. We’re only looking at players from the three host nations for the purposes of this list – do you agree with our picks?
Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty
The only Canadian on our list, Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty has been making a name for himself in the MLS, but has yet to announce himself to the world.
A talented right-back, Marshall-Rutty is a competent defender, but his true strengths lie in his attacking prowess. In this sense, he is the archetypal modern wing-back.
He currently plays for CF Montreal – he hasn’t played in Europe as of yet, but a big-money move could be on the horizon if he plays to his maximum potential at the World Cup.
Gilberto Mora
Gilberto Mora is the youngest player in our list by far. At just 17 years of age, the Mexican starlet is still a baby in footballing terms.
He has already won five senior caps for his country – it’s clear that they believe in his potential. He is also a regular starter at club level for Club Tijuana, having made 11 Liga MX appearances this season.
A talented attacking midfielder who can also function as a left winger, Mora could become a star overnight at the World Cup with his silky dribbling and penchant for flair.
Joe Scally
Joe Scally is the first player on our list to be currently playing for a European team at club level – Scally represents Borussia Monchengladbach in the Bundesliga.
At the age of 23, Scally is slightly older than most of the players on this list. Nevertheless, he is still young – and still has yet to make an impact on the international stage.
Another right-back, Scally has been a key player for Monchengladbach this season, playing in all but two of their Bundesliga games so far this season.
Obed Vargas
Like Gilberto Mora, Obed Vargas has already carved out a spot in Mexico’s senior team, despite still being very young – he is just 20 years of age.
He hasn’t played a competitive fixture for the Seattle Sounders this season, but has shown plenty of strong potential before this.
An adaptable midfield player, Vargas is most comfortable when playing as a central midfielder, but he can also function effectively as a holding midfielder.
Folarin Balogun
Some of you may believe that Folarin Balogun is already a star. This might be true – but the 2026 World Cup will provide him with an ample opportunity to raise his stock to unprecedented heights.
A former Arsenal star, Balogun made the jump to Monaco in 2023, where he remains to this day. He is enjoying a decent season, having scored eight goals over the course of 23 games in all competitions.
His biggest supporters would have expected bigger numbers than these – the World Cup will give him a perfect opportunity to show the world what he’s all about.