This summer, the 2026 World Cup will take place across Canada, Mexico and the United States. At this stage, it's very hard to say who will be victorious, which should make for a brilliant tournament.
Argentina are the defending champion, having won in 2022. With key man Lionel Messi now 38, it remains to be seen if he can be quite as influential as he was four years ago. His nation beat France in that final, but Les Bleus will be among the favourites again, having lifted the trophy at at Russia 2018.
At the end of the day, success may hinge on a single moment of brilliance from an individual. With that in mind, it's worth considering who the potential game-changers could be this summer. As such, every single world-class player going to the 2026 World Cup has now been listed.
Ranking factors
Form heading into the tournament
Major honours won in recent seasons
Current standing in 2026 Ballon d'Or race
Global reputation
Argentina: Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez
Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates against Venezuela.
Both Messi and Julian Alvarez were absolutely pivotal to Argentina's success at the 2022 World Cup, and the pair will look to repeat the trick in 2026. Messi might not be the player he once was, but anybody who watches Inter Miami games will recognise that his world-class ability has not deserted him just yet.
Alvarez continues to deliver for Atletico Madrid at the highest level, with nine goals and four assists in the Champions League this season, helping his side make it to the semi-finals. He could easily seal a £100m+ transfer if he opts to change clubs after the tournament.
Brazil: Vinicius Junior, Raphinha
Brazil's Vinicius Junior
International Friendly - England v Brazil - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - March 23, 2024 Brazil's Vinicius Junior celebrates after the match REUTERS/Carl Recine
Brazil are not quite the powerhouse of football that they once were, and it would almost come as a surprise if they were to win a sixth World Cup this summer, with their last triumph coming way back in 2002. That said, they've never struggled to produce world-class attackers.
Both Vinicius Junior and Raphinha have won big honours at Real Madrid and Barcelona in recent years. The pair are regularly in the Ballon d'Or conversation, proving just how elite they are. Casemiro is just past his prime to make the cut here, while Arsenal's Gabriel misses out as he hasn't won enough honours yet.
Belgium: Thibaut Courtois
Thibaut Courtois in action for Belgium
Thibaut Courtois in action for Belgium
The only goalkeeper on this list – with Alisson Becker of Brazil is just past his prime, and Italy's Gianluigi Donnarumma failing to qualify) – Thibaut Courtois has been the best in his position for a number of years now. The Real Madrid star has essentially won everything there is on offer at club level, and will be desperate for some glory with Belgium.
In the past, Kevin De Bruyne would have joined him in the world-class bracket, but now 34 and playing for Napoli, his best years are just behind him. The same can be said of Romelu Lukaku, who also plays for the same club in Italy.
England: Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane
Harry Kane celebrates scoring for England vs Albania
England are always among the favourites but never quite seem to have enough to get across the line, having come up short on every occasion since 1966. They have a number of players just on the cusp of being world-class, such as Bukayo Saka and Reece James, but only three make it for now.
Harry Kane is quite possibly the best player in the world right now, and may even win the Ballon d'Or if the Three Lions perform this summer. Jude Bellingham is one of the game's biggest stars, having won the Champions League and La Liga since joining Madrid for £100m, while Declan Rice has been one of the Premier League's most consistent players for some time now.
France: Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, William Saliba, Michael Olise
Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring a goal in France's victory against Ukraine
France may have the best squad going into the competition, and are certainly among the favourites. As such, it's no surprise that they have the highest number of world-class players of any nation, with an impressive total of four.
Kylian Mbappe, who scored a hat-trick in the 2022 final and bagged a goal in the 2018 victory, makes this list without a second thought. As does Ousmane Dembele, who won the Ballon d'Or in 2025. The likes of William Saliba (Arsenal) and Michael Olise (Bayern Munich) aren't quite as established, but it could be argued that they are currently the best in the world for their respective positions.
Germany: Joshua Kimmich, Jamal Musiala
Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich celebrates after the match
Bundesliga - 1. FSV Mainz 05 v Bayern Munich - MEWA Arena, Mainz, Germany - October 21, 2023 Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich celebrates after the match REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach
Jamal Musiala has spent most of the 2025/26 season recovering from a broken left leg and dislocated ankle, but his global reputation as one of the game's most exciting players allows him to make the cut here. The Bayern Munich star will aim to refind his best form just in time for the summer tournament.
Joshua Kimmich also joins him on the list. The 31-year-old remains absolutely pivotal for his club, and could have a spectacular year, having already sealed the Bundesliga title in Germany. Manuel Neuer is too far past his prime to make the list, while Florian Wirtz has struggled in his debut season at Liverpool, costing him his prior world-class reputation.
Morocco: Achraf Hakimi
Achraf Hakimi goal vs USA Olympic soccer
Achraf Hakimi captained Morocco to a 4-0 thumping of the USA in an 2024 Olympic soccer quarterfinal in Paris.
Credit: Andrew P. Scott-USA TODAY Sports
With Egypt's Mohamed Salah no longer the player he once was, and the same for Sadio Mane of Senegal, there is only one world-class player from Africa going to the World Cup. That man is Morocco's Achraf Hakimi.
The Paris Saint-Germain star has been electric for some time now, having won six trophies in the calendar year of 2025, including Ligue 1 and the Champions League. He's been just as important to PSG as they chase more honours in 2026. In 2028, Morocco made history by becoming the first African and first Arab nation to reach a FIFA World Cup semi-final. It will be interesting to see how they get on this summer.
Netherlands: Virgil van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk in action for the Netherlands
The Netherlands have produced many elite players over the years, but it's perhaps a sign of the times that they only have one world-class star among their current crop. Now 34, this might be the last year in which Virgil van Dijk can be considered a true leading figure within the sport, but he just about hangs on to his elite reputation for now.
The Dutch hold the record for most World Cup final appearances without actually winning the competition. Should they make the final in 2026, Van Dijk's experience could be what finally gets them across the line. He's certainly won it all before with Liverpool.
Norway: Erling Haaland
erling haaland norway
For many, Norway will be dark horses at the 2026 World Cup. After all, they totally dominated their qualifying group, finishing on 24 points, having won all their games. They certainly have no shortage of talent.
Captain Martin Odegaard has had a mixed few seasons, so he can't quite be considered world-class at the moment in time. Erling Haaland, however, absolutely can be. The Norwegian superstar has netted 55 goals in 49 games for his country and will aim to add more this summer.
Portugal: Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, Nuno Mendes
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes looks on
It will perhaps spark controversy but Cristiano Ronaldo does not make the cut for world-class players here. Unlike Messi, who continues to shine at the big tournaments for Argentina, he failed to score at Euro 2024, and managed just one goal at the 2022 World Cup.
That said, Portugal still do have three world-class players. Bruno Fernandes is having an outstanding season at Manchester United, and has long been one of the best players in England. Elsewhere, both Vitinha and Nuno Mendes have been vital for PSG, starring as the French club continues to prove itself as perhaps the best club on the planet.