200 Players to Watch at the 2026 World Cup: The Stars of Soccer

The 2026 World Cup is here, and it’s bigger than ever before.

To help you follow the tournament, The Athletic has identified 200 players that we’re calling the Stars of Soccer. Some are household names — yes, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are here — but plenty are not. Our guide includes players from all 48 nations, featuring six Americans and seven members of England’s team.

This list is not a ranking. Instead, we’ve grouped these players into five categories: Legends, Superstars, Key players, Rising stars, and Unsung heroes. You can sort or filter them by country or professional club. Each link leads to a comprehensive profile, detailed charts breaking down a player’s key characteristics, and a name pronunciation guide.

Whether you want to brush up on your favorite team or learn about an upcoming opponent, we have you covered.

Legends: Icons of soccer who will leave lasting legacies. In many cases, these are the greatest players their country has ever produced.

Superstars: Outstanding players at the very top of the modern game. They have the ability to make a huge impact on the tournament.

Key players: Highly skilled individuals who play integral roles for their national teams — and their professional clubs, too.

Rising stars: The tournament's most exciting young talents; the world is at their feet and they are ready to take the next step on a global stage.

Unsung heroes: They might not make headlines because they're less flashy, but they deserve your attention — and some of the limelight.

Designed and produced by John Bradford, Mark Carey, Eamonn Dalton, Thom Harris, K.K. Rebecca Lai, Thomas Oide, and Kelsea Petersen.