From Messi’s Farewell to Haaland’s Debut: 7 Players To Watch at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is officially upon us, and with a staggering 48 teams stepping onto the pitch, keeping tabs on every ounce of talent is nearly impossible. Believe me, narrowing down a “must-watch” list to just seven players felt like a monumental task.

When you’re picking only seven athletes out of a record-breaking 1,248 players, that means leaving off literal odds-on favorites. My sincere apologies to Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, but we only have so much real estate. Plus, if there’s anything we’ve learned from past tournaments, this expanded format guarantees we’ll see plenty of lesser-known players turn into overnight global superstars.

For the sake of this article, I’m focusing on the proven heavy hitters, the defining storylines, and the absolute legends chasing one final taste of glory. Grab your remote, clear your calendar, and let’s count down this World Cup’s top seven must-watch players, complete with their full group-stage TV schedules.

7. Mohamed Salah (Egypt)

You may not be able to see him repping Liverpool red anymore, but Mo Salah remains the heartbeat of Egypt’s national team. The “Egyptian King” carries a nation’s expectations every time he steps onto the pitch, turning broken plays into highlight-reel goals in a flash. But he isn’t backed by a star-studded attacking machine like the one he enjoyed at Anfield. Instead, the Pharaohs are known for their defensive grit, and Salah is the spark that makes their setup dangerous enough to unsettle any side.

This tournament is likely Salah’s final World Cup while still operating at near-superstar level, making his next three matches essential viewing. Egypt was drawn into Group G, and Salah’s opening test is a clash against European heavyweight Belgium in Seattle — a match that’ll immediately reveal whether Egypt has what it takes to reach the knockout round.

How to watch Mohamed Salah in the group stage

• Belgium vs. Egypt: Monday, June 15, at 3:00 p.m. ET (FOX, Telemundo)
• New Zealand vs. Egypt: Sunday, June 21, at 9:00 p.m. ET (FS1, Telemundo)
• Egypt vs. Iran: Friday, June 26, at 11:00 p.m. ET (FS1, Telemundo)

6. Erling Haaland (Norway)

Erling Haaland has terrorized Premier League and Champions League defenders for years. But until now, soccer’s most efficient goalscoring cyborg has been missing from the sport’s grandest stage.

After a 28-year absence, Norway is finally back in the World Cup, largely thanks to Haaland’s absurd 16 goals during the European qualifiers. His blistering pace and ruthless finishing are always exciting to watch, even when he’s dropping multiple goals against your favorite team. So, finally seeing him unleash that power in a World Cup environment is a dream for soccer fans.

While Norway boasts a promising golden generation that includes Arsenal’s Martin Ødegaard, they aren’t heavily favored to push far into July. That means every game matters, and their final Group I clash against a loaded French squad is one to circle.

How to watch Erling Haaland in the group stage

• Iraq vs. Norway: Tuesday, June 16, at 6:00 p.m. ET (FOX, Telemundo)
• Norway vs. Senegal: Monday, June 22, at 8:00 p.m. ET (FOX, Telemundo)
• Norway vs. France: Friday, June 26, at 3:00 p.m. ET (FOX, Telemundo)

5. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

While he may not dominate the mainstream spotlight like he once did, Cristiano Ronaldo still brings a little controlled madness to every Portugal match. This is almost certainly his final World Cup, which gives his Group K run historical weight. Sure, he no longer drives every attack, but he remains a proven penalty-box finisher for a more well-rounded Portugal roster.

Portugal should be favored to advance, though Colombia poses a serious test for Roberto Martínez’s side. The question is no longer whether Ronaldo is the entire identity of this squad, but how much he can still elevate a team loaded with creators, midfield control, and defensive quality. After Portugal’s 2025 Nations League title, a deep run in the knockout stage feels realistic for CR7’s last World Cup chapter.

How to watch Cristiano Ronaldo in the group stage

• Portugal vs. Congo DR: Wednesday, June 17, at 1:00 p.m. ET (FOX, Telemundo)
• Portugal vs. Uzbekistan: Tuesday, June 23, at 1:00 p.m. ET (FOX, Telemundo)
• Colombia vs. Portugal: Saturday, June 27, at 7:30 p.m. ET (FOX, Telemundo)

4. Vinícius Júnior (Brazil)

With Neymar’s Brazil era drifting into the rearview mirror — which, to be fair, has felt true for a while — Vinícius Júnior now looks like the Seleção’s most reliable source of chaos. The Real Madrid winger is made for the TV screen: The moment he gets isolated on the left wing, the danger is clear before the nearest defender can react. That kind of direct, match-winning explosiveness is exactly what Brazil needs as it chases its first World Cup title since 2002.

Brazil’s Group C slate against Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland gives Vinícius a clear runway to test that threat. The opener against Morocco should say a lot about whether Brazil has the balance to make a real title run or if it’s still leaning too heavily on individual brilliance. If Brazil stays organized behind him, Vinícius gives the Verde-Amarela the kind of attacking edge that can disrupt any team’s knockout bracket.

How to watch Vinícius Júnior in the group stage

• Brazil vs. Morocco: Saturday, June 13, at 6:00 p.m. ET (FOX, Telemundo)
• Brazil vs. Haiti: Friday, June 19, at 9:00 p.m. ET (FOX, Telemundo)
• Scotland vs. Brazil: Wednesday, June 24, at 6:00 p.m. ET (FOX, Telemundo)

3. Jude Bellingham (England)

Jude Bellingham is the youngest player on this list, but he arrives at the 2026 World Cup with more big-game experience than many of his older peers. He was a 19-year-old Borussia Dortmund midfielder when he scored his first international goal at the 2022 World Cup. Four years later, he’s a central figure at Real Madrid and one of the players England will rely on most in Group L.

Bellingham turns 23 midway through the tournament, which highlights just how much untapped promise he has left to show. He’s still incredibly young, yet he already plays with the authority of someone trusted to shape matches rather than simply contribute to them. The Three Lions have spent decades chasing another major trophy, and this squad has the talent to make a serious run. So, is this finally the summer football comes home?

How to watch Jude Bellingham in the group stage

• England vs. Croatia: Wednesday, June 17, at 4:00 p.m. ET (FOX, Telemundo)
• England vs. Ghana: Tuesday, June 23, at 4:00 p.m. ET (FOX, Telemundo)
• Panama vs. England: Saturday, June 27, at 5:00 p.m. ET (FOX, Telemundo)

2. Kylian Mbappé (France)

Kylian Mbappé is already one of the defining World Cup players of his generation. He won the tournament in 2018, kept France alive in the 2022 final with a hat trick, and now leads Les Bleus as captain. The team’s attack still tilts around his speed, timing, and ability to turn one defensive mistake into a goal.

France’s schedule features a compelling World Cup rematch against Senegal, a side that famously upset them 1-0 in 2002 — just four years after France secured the 1998 title. There’s also that match against Norway, which puts Mbappé and Haaland on the same field. That alone makes France’s group slate one of the easiest to sell to casual fans.

How to watch Kylian Mbappé in the group stage

• France vs. Senegal: Tuesday, June 16, at 3:00 p.m. ET (FOX, Telemundo)
• France vs. Iraq: Monday, June 22, at 5:00 p.m. ET (FOX, Telemundo)
• Norway vs. France: Friday, June 26, at 3:00 p.m. ET (FOX, Telemundo)

1. Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Lionel Messi’s name carries far beyond the typical sports audience. I even heard my seven-year-old nephew shout it at soccer practice — the same way people yell “Kobe!” when tossing paper into a trash can. That ubiquitous recognition follows Messi into the 2026 World Cup, where he returns as captain of the defending champions with a chance to make history.

Argentina is trying to become only the third men’s national team to win consecutive World Cups, following Italy (1934 and 1938) and Brazil (1958 and 1962). For Messi, another title would add one more defining chapter to an international career that already delivered the trophy he had spent years chasing.

His role has changed with age, but Argentina still runs through his vision, passing range, and control in the final third. He no longer has to carry every attacking sequence himself, which I think makes this version of La Albiceleste more balanced. We’ll see that rhythm on full display as Argentina navigates a manageable Group J schedule.

How to watch Lionel Messi in the group stage

• Argentina vs. Algeria: Tuesday, June 16, at 9:00 p.m. ET (FOX, Telemundo)
• Argentina vs. Austria: Monday, June 22, at 1:00 p.m. ET (FOX, Telemundo)
• Jordan vs. Argentina: Saturday, June 27, at 10:00 p.m. ET (FOX, Telemundo)