Messi, Ronaldo, and 12 other promising stars for the 2026 World Cup.
The qualifying rounds are almost complete, and the draw for the 2026 World Cup will take place on December 5th. Twelve superstars, from Messi and Ronaldo to Haaland and Mbappe, promise to explode with impressive statistics.
The qualifying rounds have concluded and the draw for the 2026 World Cup will take place on December 5th. The big question is: Can Lionel Messi defend his title, and how will Cristiano Ronaldo conclude his international journey? Below are 12 of the most outstanding players, categorized by form, tactical role, and other notable statistics that fans should keep an eye on.
12 superstars to watch at the 2026 World Cup
Luis Diaz – Colombia
Since leaving Liverpool to join Bayern Munich in the summer, Luis Diaz has maintained his fiery form and is the "leading light" of Colombia. He scored 7 goals in the qualifiers, only behind Lionel Messi (8). His off-ball pressing ability and resilience are big advantages: the goal from a shooting angle of only 1.8 degrees against Union Berlin showed a technically skilled and unyielding striker.
Cristiano Ronaldo – Portugal
Ronaldo has acknowledged that the 2026 World Cup will be his last at the national team level. Despite playing for Al-Nassr, his international record remains enormous: 143 goals for Portugal, more than Lionel Messi's total (114). The world title missing from his trophy collection is the motivation for CR7 to give his all this time.
Mohamed Salah – Egypt
"The Egyptian King" helped Liverpool win their 20th English league title last season and claimed the Golden Boot with 29 goals. At national team level, Salah is even more crucial, with most of his teammates coming from the domestic league: 63 goals in 108 matches. The World Cup was a missed opportunity for him (injury in 2018, absence in 2022), and at 33, this could be his last chance to shine on the biggest stage.
Gabriel Magalhaes – Brazil
Arsenal have conceded only 5 goals in 11 Premier League games this season, and Gabriel is a key player in the center. Since the start of last season, no Arsenal player has won more aerial duels than him (93). His presence in set pieces is also lethal: his 18 set-piece goals are the highest in the Premier League since 2020. Despite having only 16 caps for Brazil (10 in the last 2 years), he could be a reliable anchor for his first World Cup.
Alisson – Brazil
Since Liverpool signed him from Roma (2018-19), Alisson has been a standout goalkeeper in the Premier League: facing 783 shots and conceding 194. His xGOT (Gain Goals Over Goals) metric shows that an average goalkeeper would concede an additional 22 goals – reflecting his exceptional save record. His versatile ball distribution is a plus, although his fitness is a concern (only 28 Premier League matches in the last two seasons). If fit, the Brazilian goal will have a reliable shield.
Harry Kane - England
At 32, Kane is still at the top. He has scored 26 goals for his club and national team this season, making him one of the few contenders who can compete with Erling Haaland. Beyond just scoring, Kane also drops deep to create chances and link up firepower on the flanks – a tactical element that maximizes the effectiveness of England's wing-based attacking options.
Abdukodir Khusanov – Uzbekistan
The World Cup welcomed Jordan, Uzbekistan, and Cape Verde for the first time. For the underdog teams, a standout center-back is a valuable tactical asset. Khusanov (Manchester City) plays aggressively, readily engaging in fierce tackles and challenges; on the wing, he draws inspiration from coach Fabio Cannavaro – the 2006 World Cup champion and Ballon d'Or winner of the same year.
Ousmane Dembele – France
The reigning Ballon d'Or winner, Dembele, thrived in the number 9 role under Luis Enrique, contributing to Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League triumph. He is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury since September. This time, Dembele has a special motivation after the painful memory of the 2022 final when he committed a foul leading to a penalty and had to leave the field in the first half.
Lionel Messi – Argentina
After his dream ending in Qatar, Messi didn't stop there. At Inter Miami, he scored 57 goals in the 2025 season, 15 more than Anders Dreyer (San Diego). Playing on the soil of a co-hosting nation, Messi aimed to defend his title – a gentle boost to a career already laden with trophies.
Erling Haaland – Norway
Having missed the last tournament, Haaland returned with a bang: 14 goals in the qualifiers, leading Norway to their first World Cup appearance since France 1998. His playing style revolves around his killer instinct – lurking and waiting for opportunities, then exploding with speed and physicality. If he maintains his current pace, he could reach 95 goals in 60 games this season.
Kylian Mbappe – France
A hat-trick in the 2022 final wasn't enough to secure the title for France, but Mbappe still has the firepower with 13 goals in 12 La Liga matches this season. He currently has 12 World Cup goals, giving him a solid basis to dream of surpassing Miroslav Klose's record of 16 next summer, although the ultimate goal remains the World Cup trophy.
Jude Bellingham – England
England replaced Gareth Southgate with Thomas Tuchel, and the Bellingham story immediately became the focus. After recovering from shoulder surgery, the 2003-born midfielder is regaining his usual form. Leaving him out would be a bold decision, especially given Bellingham's knack for scoring late, game-winning goals.
Key figures
| Player | Notable specifications |
|---|---|
| Luis Diaz | 7 qualifying goals, only behind Lionel Messi (8); goal from a 1.8 degree angle. |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | 143 goals for Portugal; more than Lionel Messi (114) |
| Mohamed Salah | Top scorer last season with 29 goals; 63 goals in 108 matches for Egypt. |
| Gabriel Magalhaes | Arsenal have conceded in 5 out of 11 matches; won 93 aerial duels since the start of last season; scored 18 goals from set pieces since 2020. |
| Alisson | Facing 783 shots, conceding 194; xGOT estimates a saving of 22 goals; 28 matches/last 2 seasons |
| Harry Kane | 26 goals for club and national team this season |
| Erling Haaland | 14 goals in the qualifying round; target of 95 goals in 60 matches if the pace is maintained. |
| Kylian Mbappe | 13 goals in 12 La Liga matches; 12 goals at the World Cup; record to surpass: 16 (Miroslav Klose) |
| Lionel Messi | 57 goals in the 2025 season, 15 more than Anders Dreyer. |
The numbers are just a launching pad. When the ball rolls in the summer, organization, individual moments, and mental resilience will determine who writes the final chapter of the 2026 World Cup.
