{"id":43792,"date":"2026-04-18T08:33:58","date_gmt":"2026-04-18T07:33:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mansionbet.com\/blog\/?p=43792"},"modified":"2026-04-21T08:43:19","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T07:43:19","slug":"top-10-players-to-watch-at-the-2026-world-cup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mansionbet.com\/blog\/sports\/top-10-players-to-watch-at-the-2026-world-cup\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 10 Players to Watch at the 2026 World Cup"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Photo by Wikimedia Commons 2.0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Qualifying for and reaching a World Cup finals is often seen as the pinnacle of a player\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ahead of the opening game between Mexico and South Africa on June 11th<\/sup>, 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:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. Ryan Mendes \u2013 Cape Verde<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. Abdukodir Khusanov \u2013 Uzbekistan<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Having become an integral part of Manchester City\u2019s side this season under Pep Guardiola, defensive phenomenon Abdukodir Khusanov looks set to take the World Cup by storm<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signed from RC Lens January 2025 by the blues, Khusanov\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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