The 2026 World Cup will mark the sixth time that both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi will be competing in FIFA’s high-profile global event.
Both players made their debuts for Portugal and Argentina respectively at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, and have featured in every tournament since.
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It is likely their last appearance on the international stage, and the world’s attention will once again be on their every move. Ronaldo is 41 years old and Messi will be 39 on June 24th.
But audiences are always keeping a keen eye on which heir to the throne will come forward to steal the spotlight. Here, Al Jazeera introduces the top 10 breakout stars to watch.
⚽Kenan Yildiz (Turkiye)
The last time Tolkier appeared in a World Cup, Juventus’ Kenan Yildiz wasn’t even born yet. But now, after a long wait of 24 years, Yildiz has returned to football’s biggest stage, carrying the expectations of millions of Turkish fans.
German-born Yildiz entered the World Cup on the back of early success in Europe, winning the Coppa Italia with Juventus in 2023-24 and earning a place in the squad for next year’s Serie A season.
The young Yildiz, who can play as an attacking midfielder or winger, is one of the most promising players in Turkiye’s attacking line-up. The 21-year-old, who has often shared the spotlight with teammate Alda Güler, now wants to go independent and announce his presence at one of the biggest sporting events.
⚽ Nico Paz (Argentina)
The 21-year-old attacking midfielder is widely seen as a potential successor to Lionel Messi, and the 38-year-old football legend is gearing up for what could be his last World Cup.
His creative passing has been in great form for Como, who have scored 12 goals and provided seven assists in Italian Serie A this season, qualifying for his Champions League debut after two seasons in the second division.
Pass primarily operates as an attacking midfielder and is versatile enough to seamlessly drop deep or push forward, as declared by club manager Cesc Fabregas.
⚽ Rayan (Brazil)
Ryan is the latest talent to emerge from Brazilian soccer. The 19-year-old winger was given his first senior call-up by Carlo Ancelotti in March and was included in the World Cup squad in the absence of injured teenage sensation Estevao. He scored his first goal for Brazil in a 6-2 win over Panama in a pre-World Cup friendly.
Backed by the faith of then-coach Fernando Diniz, Ryan had a breakthrough season at the Vasco da Gama stadium last year.
His 20 goals in all competitions helped Vasco reach the Copa do Brasil final, and his performances earned him a move to Bournemouth this year, where he quickly adapted to English football. Ryan played 15 times in the Premier League, scoring five goals and providing two assists, helping Bournemouth qualify for European football for the first time in the club’s history.
⚽ Gilberto Mora (Mexico)
Mora made headlines in Mexico’s national newspapers at an age when he should have focused on his studies. In 2024, the Tijuana attacking midfielder became the youngest player to score in Mexico’s top flight at just 15 years old.
Just five months after becoming Tijuana’s youngest debutant, Mora received his first senior call-up and by mid-2025, at 16 years, 9 months and 14 days, he became the country’s youngest debutant.
His remarkable development peaked last July, when Mexico won the CONCACAF Gold Cup, making him the youngest player to win a senior international tournament.
Blessed with a keen eye for controlling the ball and scoring goals, Mora hopes to play in the U-20 World Cup in 2025 and then step up to the senior stage this summer.
⚽ Yann Diomand (Ivory Coast)
Diomande has taken Europe by storm since joining RB Leipzig from Leganes less than a year ago, with the German club valuing him at a staggering 100 million euros (approximately 11.65 billion yen).
Known for his excellent speed, powerful dribbling, and athleticism, the 1.8-meter (6-foot) winger has a real eye for goal.
The 19-year-old scored 12 goals and provided eight assists in the league, helping Leipzig finish third in the Bundesliga this season and seal their place in next year’s Champions League.
Diomande has developed into one of the most feared wingers in Germany’s top flight and finished the 2025-26 season by winning the Bundesliga’s Rookie of the Year award.
He helped Ivory Coast qualify for the World Cup by reaching the quarter-finals of the African Cup of Nations.
⚽ Nico O’Reilly (UK)
O’Reilly, a product of Manchester City’s academy, made his senior debut at the Etihad club in the 2024-25 season. However, the 21-year-old has flourished as both a left-back and an attacking midfielder under manager Josep Guardiola, and this year has been his best season to date.
O’Reilly has emerged as one of the brightest prospects in English football, having made over 50 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring nine goals and providing six assists. His versatility could make him a key addition to Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad as England, one of the pre-tournament favorites, aim to advance to the top of the table.
⚽ Lennart Karl (Germany)
Karl, who has represented Germany at Under-15 level and above, earned his first senior call-up in March following a breakthrough season with Bayern Munich. With nine goals and eight assists in all competitions in his debut season with Bayern, Karl quickly emerged as a young Bundesliga sensation.
The 18-year-old attacking midfielder can also play wide, but is small in size. However, his quick feet, flair and eye for goal make him an interesting option for Julian Nagelsmann’s Germany squad.
⚽ Luka Vusković (Croatia)
Voted the Bundesliga’s New Player of the Month four times, 19-year-old defender Vusković has quickly established himself as one of the league’s outstanding young players.
The Croatian centre-back, who signed for Tottenham Hotspur and was immediately loaned out to Hamburg, had an impressive season in Germany’s top flight, making 27 appearances in all competitions and contributing six goals.
A threat from set-pieces, Vusković is quickly emerging as one of Europe’s most promising centre-backs, with giants Bayern Munich rumored to be interested in the youngster.
⚽ Keisuke Goto (Japan)
Look out for 20-year-old striker Goto, the youngest member of Japan’s most talented World Cup squad.
Goto, who made his national team debut in November and had only three caps thus far, was not confident about being selected by coach Hajime Moriyasu.
However, the 191-meter (6-foot-3-inch) tall striker, who has recorded 13 goals and eight assists in all competitions this season and is currently on loan at Sint-Truiden from fellow Belgian side Anderlecht, could be the trump card for Japan’s attack.
⚽ Ali Jassim (Iraq)
Jassim, part of Iraq’s new generation of players, is preparing for his first major international tournament. The 22-year-old Jasim, who was the top scorer at the U-23 Asian Cup two years ago, comes into the World Cup after a strong season in the Saudi Professional League.
Jassim, who joined Al Najma on loan from Italian club Como, made 24 appearances in the Saudi top flight, including 19 starts. Primarily playing as a left winger, Jassim also plays as an attacking midfielder or centre-forward, and found the back of the net four times.
After playing at the U-20 World Cup and the 2024 Paris Olympics, Jassim is ready to take on more challenges as Iraq returns to the World Cup for the first time in 40 years.
The FIFA World Cup begins on June 11th. Check out Al Jazeera’s dedicated 2026 World Cup page for all the latest news, fixtures and live text commentary, and stay up to date with group standings, real-time results and schedules.
