Photo by Wikimedia Commons 2.0
Qualifying for and reaching a World Cup finals is often seen as the pinnacle of a player’s career, particularly for their national team and 48 nations will get the chance to represent their homeland on the biggest stage of all this summer.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States is set to be the biggest ever incarnation of the tournament and some of the biggest players in the game will be looking to make their mark.
From legends of the game such as Pele and Diego Maradona, through to icons of particular tournaments such as Roger Milla and James Rodriguez, the World Cup presents a unique opportunity to players.
In Canada, Mexico and the USA, Argentina will be the holders and will have a target on their backs as such, with both the opposing teams and with plenty of World Cup punters.
They along with the usual host of big names such as Brazil, Spain, France and Germany are amongst the front runners for glory this summer with most reputable World Cup betting sites.
Ahead of the opening game between Mexico and South Africa on June 11th, every player participating in the tournament will be looking to hit top form and here is a look at 10 of the players to keep an eye on:
10. Ryan Mendes – Cape Verde
For Cape Verde, just reaching the World Cup finals is a historic achievement and how they will be desperate to make their mark on the tournament.
Captain Ryan Mendes has seen it all, having played in France, England and across Asia and the Middle East but this will surely be the pinnacle of his career.
An electrifying winger, Mendes is getting no younger at the age of 36 but he will be captaining his native Cape Verde in games against Spain, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay and he will be their key man.
9. Abdukodir Khusanov – Uzbekistan
Having become an integral part of Manchester City’s side this season under Pep Guardiola, defensive phenomenon Abdukodir Khusanov looks set to take the World Cup by storm
Signed from RC Lens January 2025 by the blues, Khusanov’s introduction to English football was tough but the 22-year-old has shown real mental strength to bounce back and become a key performer for City.
Tough in the tackle and with pace to burn, Khusanov is devastating in one on one duels and his ball playing skills are beginning to develop too.
With Uzbekistan sure to come under the pump in their group games against Colombia, Portugal and DR Congo, Khusanov will get plenty of opportunities to demonstrate his defensive prowess.
8. Jurrien Timber – Netherlands
Having been a mainstay in Arsenal’s famously water tight defence for a few seasons, Jurrien Timber’s quality is well known.
At the age of just 24, Timber has become one of the most reliable right backs in world football and he will be eager to translate that onto the national stage.
Along with the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Nathan Ake at the back for the Dutch, they have plenty of experience and Timber’s performances could be key to any success the Oranges enjoy.
7. Antonio Nusa – Norway
Following a qualification campaign for the ages, Norway look to be ready to make a splash in their first World Cup appearance since 1998.
Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard will occupy plenty of opposition defensive minds, but the pace and guile of Antonio Nusa can also be devastating.
Aged just 21, Nusa has enjoyed a great season for RB Leipzig, and he scored some key goals, as the Norwegians strolled to reach the World Cup proper, making him one to certainly keep an eye on.
6. Kauro Mitoma – Japan
A household name in the Premier League following a few incredible years at Brighton, Kauro Mitoma will be at the forefront of Japan’s hopes heading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
He may have endured a frustrating campaign with the Seagulls domestically, but Mitoma is one of the very best technicians in world football and he is another that tends to relish the big occasion.
Japan as a team have high hopes for the tournament and Mitoma could be their key man.
5. Nico O’Reilly – England
Manchester City have a storied history of producing players through their academy and Nico O’Reilly looks to be the latest cab off the rank.
Having progressed through the ranks as an all-action midfielder, O’Reilly has transitioned into a buccaneering left back for the blues and has been picked to play in the same role for England by Thomas Tuchel.
England are chasing their first major tournament win since 1966 and O’Reilly will be looking to carry his incredible club form on for his country in his first World Cup.
4. Rayan Cherki – France
The first of two Frenchman on the list, Rayan Cherki is positively purring for Manchester City, and the mercurial midfielder seems to relish the biggest stages.
He has developed hugely for Pep Guardiola’s side over the course of the past season, becoming a key creative force and for his national team, he has plenty of tormentors alongside him.
Strong off both feet, with incredible dribbling skill and with smart delivery from set pieces, Cherki could play a key role for France and at the age of just 22, he looks ready to make his mark.
3. Brahim Diaz – Morocco
Missing a key penalty in the 2026 AFCON final would define most players but Brahim Diaz has responded superbly since his now infamous Panenka miss.
A key man for Real Madrid, as well as the pin up boy of Moroccan football, the pressure on Diaz is stratospheric in every game he plays.
Yet the creative maestro seems to relish the pressure and with Morocco being touted to have another good tournament, Diaz’s industry and big game experience could be key.
2. Michael Olise – France
The rise of Michael Olise in the past few seasons has been remarkable, from playing in the Championship with Reading to competing for the treble with Bayern Munich.
For the Frenchman, he has been able to take things in his stride, as his meteoric rise has enabled him to become a key man for both club and country.
Having only made his debut for France in 2024, Olise has more than announced himself on the international stage and he looks ready to set this World Cup alight for Didier Deschamps’s side.
1. Lamine Yamal – Spain
While it feels as if Lamine Yamal has been around for years, he remains a mere 18 years old and how he would love to make an impact at his first FIFA World Cup.
Yamal has quickly become a key man for Spain, having a huge impact in the 2024 European Championships triumph and he truly looks to have the world at his feet.
Many FIFA World Cup 2026 betting sites are backing Spain to go all the way in Canada, Mexico and the USA and Yamal feels integral to any hopes they have of lifting the trophy.
