The 2026 World Cup is just about to commence. With well over 1,000 players travelling to take part in sport’s biggest tournament, it’s hard to pick out five of the best.
Today, we’ll be looking at quintet of five of the best players who will be representing this year’s three host nations – Canada, Mexico and the USA.
We’ve picked out an array of top-quality players for this list – at domestic level, they represent clubs such as Juventus, Bayern Munich and AC Milan. Before we begin, can you guess who they are?
Raul Jimenez (Mexico)
By far the oldest player on our list at 35 years of age, Raul Jimenez proves that you don’t need to be a young upstart to be force to be reckoned with at the World Cup. Indeed, he is one of the tournament’s best ‘wonder uncs’.
An underrated player for Fulham in the Premier League last season, scoring nine goals and notching up three assists in 36 appearances, the Cottagers were a little unfortunate to have missed out on European qualification at the end of the season.
Despite he decent performance in the 2025/26 season, Jimenez is set to leave Craven Cottage at the conclusion of his contract on a free transfer. It’s unclear where his next destination might be, but the World Cup will provide him with an excellent platform from which he can secure himself a move to an elite football club.
Alphonso Davies (Canada)
Alphonso Davies is one of the best left-backs in the world – furthermore, he is arguably the best Canadian footballer of all time. Sadly, his season has been ravaged by injury issues.
He only played 13 games for Bayern Munich last season, scoring a single goal and racking up a trio of assists, but will be fit to play at the World Cup with minimal issues.
A rapid full-back with an impressive attacking acumen, Davies is too good to be wasted at left-back for the Maple Leaves – he tends to play on the wing at international level.
Chris Richards (USA)
One of the most underrated defenders in the Premier League this season, Chris Richards has formed a very strong partnership with Maxcence Lacroix at Crystal Palace (and Marc Guehi, prior to his Manchester City move).
The American is expected to be at the heart of the USMNT’s defence. A stouthearted centre-back with excellent anticipational skills and rugged physicality, he’ll be ready for even the most taxing of defensive battles at the World Cup.
While he is used to playing in a back three under Oliver Glasner, he’ll probably play in a back two for the USA – how will this affect his overall performance?
Jonathan David (Canada)
An electric, multi-faceted attacking player who can cover multiple attacking positions, Jonathan David was actually born in Brooklyn, New York – nevertheless, he represents Canada on the international stage.
A pacey forward with a creative spark, David scored six goals and racked up four assists in Serie A for Juventus last season. In addition to this, he also scored two goals and notched up a solitary assist for the Old Lady in the Champions League.
David is expected to the lead the line for the Maple Leaves at the World Cup – despite being just 26 years of age, he already has a whopping 77 caps to his name.
Christian Pulisic (USA)
Christian Pulisic is perhaps the best player that the three host nations have to offer at this year’s World Cup. A magical dribbler of the ball with an acute eye for goal, he is one of the best players that the USA has ever produced.
He led a strong campaign at AC Milan in Serie A in 2025/26, scoring eight goals and registering four assists from the wing over the course of 30 appearances.
With 86 caps and 33 goals on the international stage at the time of writing, one would expect him to add to his USMNT goals tally at the World Cup – he is their talisman for good reason.