The groundbreaking 2026 World Cup, the longest ever and the first to be co-hosted by three different countries, is almost underway. It will witness a historic changing of the guard among the constellation of football stars.
While Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi play their final World Cups, Lamine Yamal will play his first of many. Other legends will also bid farewell, while players like Erling Haaland make their debuts.
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The 2026 World Cup hasn’t even started yet, and it will already be remembered forever as historic. The most global tournament in history, shared between the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The first with 48 teams. 104 matches, the equivalent of ten and a half league matchdays. And it kicks off with a constellation of stars that will be the stage for a unique talent transition.
Ronaldo and Messi, the names that have reigned supreme in football for decades, will confirm their grand farewell to international football.
Their sixth World Cup, which will make them the players with the most appearances in the sport (along with Guillermo Ochoa), will be their final goodbye. Having already left the spotlight of European football and the Champions League, this was the stage they needed to leave for us to fully accept that football is entering a new era of iconic figures.
It’s a historic void to fill, but one that finds a generational replacement just in time with Yamal . The Barcelona star will play in his first World Cup. Moreover, at just 18 years old, and given his quality and potential, if his health allows, he will be in a position to add several more tournaments to his name.
It remains to be seen how far his legacy will reach, still without Champions League glory, but already led Spain to victory in the European Championship two years ago. It’s a legacy that seems destined to become iconic, especially if the World Cup route leads to a clash between Yamal and either Ronaldo or Messi.
Guaranteed talent
Beyond the two legends and Spain’s star wonderkid, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior represent the link between both worlds. A pair of ‘young veterans’ who still have a story to write, but who already have several golden pages in their own books.
They are also expected to be the natural successors in the football world, which will nevertheless also feature other names more hungry for success.
This is the case for Haaland and Harry Kaneeach from a different perspective.
While at club level the Norwegian will always compete for the most ambitious sides, his national team isn’t one expected to achieve heroic feats.
The last time the Nordic country played in a World Cup, the City striker wasn’t even born. For him, such an event is about seizing an opportunity that might not come again in his career.
While Haaland will be playing in his first World Cup , it will be Kane’s third. The Norwegian’s precocity contrasts sharply with the Englishman’s late-blooming glory and his historical stigma of being at odds with titles.
The Bayern Munich striker hasn’t aged, but rather sharpened his already impressive statistics. Adding to his trophy collection is what motivates him with an England side that has once again given him a chance to compete for silverware that very few can win.
Names on everyone’s lips
From there, a double World Cup classic unfolds: keeping an eye on the most anticipated talents and expecting some to surprise and burst onto the football scene in a big way.
Players like Luka Modric, Mohamed Salah, Kevin De Bruyneand Joshua Kimmichthis likely being their last appearance in the major international tournament, will undoubtedly attract a lot of attention.
However, other young players are about to break through. Players like Gilberto Mora, Yan Diomande, Johan Manzambiand Jeremy Arevalo are eager to emerge at the opportune moment.
Alongside them are those with more recent birth certificates but already established in the football scene, such as João Neves, Desire Doue, Pau Cubarsiand Endrick.
Read more on the young players to watch at the 2026 World Cup here.
